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Glossary - Bomb

Bomb

Ash-flow tuff outcrop, northwest flanks of Newberry Volcano, Oregon, was emplaced during the caldera-forming eruption approximately 75,000 years ago. Dark lava bombs were carried by pyroclastic flow. (Click image to view full size.)
Donnelly-Nolan, Julie M.
2011-06-17
Ash-flow tuff outcrop, northwest flanks of Newberry Volcano, Oregon, was emplaced during the caldera-forming eruption approximately 75,000 years ago. Dark lava bombs were carried by pyroclastic flow.
Larger dark lava bombs were carried in the pyroclastic flow supported within the ashy matrix.

Many bombs acquire rounded aerodynamic shapes during their travel through the air. Volcanic bombs include breadcrust bombs, ribbon bombs, spindle bombs (with twisted ends), spheroidal bombs, and 'cow-dung' bombs. Volcanic blocks commonly consist of solidified pieces of old lava flows that were part of a volcano's cone.

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