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Glite Dictionary
Plinian eruption

Plinian eruption

9.9
A very strong volcanic eruption that shoots gas and ash high into the sky
  • noun
  • /ˈplɪniən ɪˈrʌpʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : erupción pliniana
  • The Hatepe eruption was the most violent Plinian eruption in recent history.

Examples

  • The explosion of Mount St. Helens in 1980 was classified as a Plinian eruption due to its huge ash cloud.

  • Scientists studied the impact of the Plinian eruption that occurred at Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

  • During a Plinian eruption, ash and gas can reach heights of several miles into the atmosphere.

Synonyms

eruption
vsPlinian eruption
  • Specialized
73 3.9

A sudden violent burst of lava and ash from a volcano

sends gas and ash much higher into the atmosphere
volcanic eruption
vsPlinian eruption
14 3.5

A sudden release of hot gas, ash, and melted rock from a volcano

involves much higher, more violent expulsion of gas and ash

How Explosive

Plinian eruption
  • Specialized
9.9
Strombolian
  • Specialized
9.9
eruption
  • Specialized
73 3.9

Surface Forms

Plinian eruption singular
Plinian eruptions plural

Morphology

Plinian + eruption

The phrase is compositionally an adjective + noun, so if a learner knows the adjective 'Plinian' (a technical eponym describing a very high, sustained ash/gas column) together with 'eruption', the overall meaning is clear. However, 'Plinian' is a specialist, name-derived term that is not predictable from general vocabulary, so the expression is not fully transparent to a typical B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

Plinian eruption gets its name from the writer Pliny the Younger, who described Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 sending up a tall, straight column of ash that looked like a pine tree. That strong picture is used today to mean an eruption that throws ash 'very high' and is 'very violent'.