Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or produced by volcanoes: Describes anything connected with volcanoes, their activity, or the materials they produce.
   • Resembling a volcano in intensity or suddenness of outburst: Describes something, especially a temper or emotion, that is explosively violent or unstable.
   • (Of rock) igneous rock solidified from lava or magma on or near the earth's surface: Describes a specific type of rock formed from volcanic activity.

Usage and Examples

• Relating to volcanoes:
  • The Hawaiian islands are of volcanic origin.
  • Scientists study volcanic ash to understand past eruptions.
• Explosively unstable (of temperament):
  • He was known for his volcanic temper, erupting in anger over minor issues.
  • Her volcanic outburst surprised everyone in the room.
• Describing volcanic rock:
  • Basalt is a common volcanic rock.
  • The cliff face revealed layers of ancient volcanic material.

Advanced Usage

• "Volcanic activity": The phenomena and processes associated with the eruption of a volcano.
  • The region has a high level of volcanic activity.
• "Volcanic ash": Fine particles of pulverized rock and glass created during a volcanic eruption.
  • Volcanic ash can disrupt air travel for weeks.

Variants and Related Words

• Volcano (n): A vent in the earth's crust through which lava, ash, and gases erupt.
• Volcanically (adv): In a volcanic manner.
  • The landscape was volcanically formed.
• Volcanism / Vulcanism (n): The phenomena associated with volcanic activity.
• Volcanology (n): The scientific study of volcanoes.

Synonyms

• Eruptive: Tending to erupt or characterized by eruptions.
• Fiery: Having a passionate, quick-tempered nature.
• Igneous: (For rock) formed by solidification from a molten state.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Sitting on a volcanic situation": Being in a highly tense or unstable circumstance that could erupt into conflict.
  • The political negotiations were like sitting on a volcanic situation.
• "A volcanic personality": A person prone to sudden, intense outbursts of emotion.
  • His volcanic personality made him a difficult colleague.

Adjective

1. igneous rock produced by eruption and solidified on or near the earth's surface; rhyolite or andesite or basalt
   • volcanic rock includes the volcanic glass obsidian
2. explosively unstable
   • a volcanic temper
3. relating to or produced by or consisting of volcanoes
   • volcanic steam
   • volcanic islands such as Iceland
   • a volcanic cone is a conical mountain or hill built up of material from volcanic eruptions