Fragmentation and emplacement mechanisms of volcaniclastic rocks: a terminological review

Recent volc anic erup tion s have p ro v id e d firs t-h a n d data fo r the study o f «pyroclastic» deposit mechanisms. This study adds to the term «pyroclastic» a depositional meaning. As a result of this expanded meaning, the term «pyroclastic» is not only used for a fragmentation mechanism, but also for a way of em pla cem ent. Taking in to ac c o u n t th e im p o rta n c e , o f volcaniclastic deposits fo r basin analysis, we propose, when using the term «pyroclastic», to clearly state the differences between fragmentation and emplacement mechanisms