Which materials are classified as pyroclastic?

Pyroclastic materials refer to the solid particles ejected during a volcanic eruption. These materials include ash, cinders, and larger volcanic rock fragments that are expelled into the air. Ash consists of very fine particles that can be carried over long distances by wind, while cinders are somewhat larger, usually pebble-sized fragments. The term "pyroclastic" itself comes from Greek roots meaning "fire" and "clastic," referring to the fragmentation caused by explosive volcanic activity.

In contrast, magma and lava are molten rock before and after an eruption, respectively, and do not fall under the classification of pyroclastic materials. Gas and steam, while they can be emitted during an eruption, do not include solid particles and thus are also not classified as pyroclastic. Tuff and basalt, although originating from volcanic activity, are types of rock that are formed from solidified lava or accumulated volcanic ash but are not directly categorized as pyroclastic materials themselves.