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Strombolian

Strombolian

9.9
Volcanic eruptions that send up regular bursts of glowing lava and gas
  • adjective
  • /strɒmˈboʊliən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : estromboliano
  • What's more, back in the sixties and well into the seventies, Ngauruhoe erupted in regular Strombolian bursts.

Examples

  • The volcano's eruptions were characterized by Strombolian activity, sending lava and gas into the air at regular intervals.

  • Scientists observed a Strombolian eruption, where bursts of lava illuminated the night sky.

  • During the Strombolian eruption, the sound of gas explosions could be heard miles away from the volcano.

How Violent

Plinian
  • Specialized
9.9
Strombolian
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

Strombolian positive

Morphology

Strombolian = Stromboli (semi-transparent) = Stromboli + ian

Form is clearly place name + adjectival suffix, but the specialized geological meaning 'a type of eruption' is a domain-specific extension that may not be obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Strombolian comes from the island of Stromboli, a volcano famous for steady, short bursts of lava and gas. So a Strombolian eruption means an eruption 'like' Stromboli — regular little explosions and glowing lava fountains.