volcanic tuff

Encyclopedia Article

Article

A type of sedimentary rock that is characterized by its layered, grainy appearance. Tuff consists of a mix of fine-grained rock and condensed volcanic ash that have been meshed and pressed together after a volcanic eruption. Tuff often appears porous, and is subject to changes in formation over time as a result of exposure to wind, water, or ice.

Note that tuff is the correct spelling of this type of rock, although in the novel People of Darkness it is spelled volcanic tuft.

Photo Credit: 

 
"Tuff cliff face pockmarked with holes, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico, 1992" by Andrew Dunn is licensed under CC BY-SA.

Published Works: 
People of Darkness (1980)
Term Type: 
Geologic Feature