Cinder

Cinder
For other uses, see Cinder (disambiguation).
Example of a cinder, found at Amboy Crater

A cinder is a pyroclastic material. Cinders are extrusive igneous rocks. Cinders are similar to pumice, which has so many cavities and is such low-density that it can float on water. The colour of cinder is brown.

Characteristics

Volcanic eruptions such as this one can create cinders
Volcanic cinder in the Mount Cayley volcanic field, British Columbia, Canada

The following geologic characteristics define a cinder:

  • Uncemented
  • Vitric
  • Having bubble-like cavities, called vesicles
  • Measuring not less than 2.0 millimeters in at least one dimension
  • Apparent specific gravity between 1.0 and 2.0
  • Typical cinders are red or black in color.
  • Contain numerous gas bubbles "frozen" into place as magma exploded into the air and then cooled quickly.

Uses

Cinders have been used on track surfaces and roads to provide additional traction in winter conditions. Cinders are also employed as inorganic mulch in xeriscaping, because of excellent drainage properties and resistance to erosion. In this context, they are referred to frequently with the name "lava rock". This is why cinder is used in roads.

See also


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cinder — Cin der (s[i^]n d[ e]r), n. [AS. sinder slag, dross; akin to Icel. sindr dross, Sw. sinder, G. sinter, D. sintel; perh. influenced by F. cendre ashes, fr. L. cinis. Cf. {Sinter}.] 1. Partly burned or vitrified coal, or other combustible, in which …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cinder — (n.) O.E. sinder dross of iron, slag, from P.Gmc. *sindran (Cf. O.S. sinder, O.N. sindr, M.L.G., M.Du. sinder, O.H.G. sintar, Ger. Sinter), from PIE root *sendhro coagulating fluid. Initial s changed to c under influence of Fr. cendre …   Etymology dictionary

  • cinder — cìnder m DEFINICIJA reg. zast. upaljač, fajercajg ETIMOLOGIJA njem. Zünder …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • cinder — [n] hot ash clinker, ember, hot coal, soot; concept 260 …   New thesaurus

  • cinder — ► NOUN ▪ a piece of burnt coal or wood that has stopped giving off flames but still has combustible matter in it. DERIVATIVES cindery adjective. ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • cinder — [sin′dər] n. [ME & OE sinder, dross of iron, slag < IE base * sendhro , coagulating fluid > Ger sinter, dross of iron, stalactite, sintern, to trickle, coagulate, Czech śadra, gypsum] 1. slag, as from the reduction of metallic ores 2. a… …   English World dictionary

  • cinder — UK [ˈsɪndə(r)] / US [ˈsɪndər] noun [countable, usually plural] Word forms cinder : singular cinder plural cinders a) a small piece of something that has been burnt almost completely burnt to a cinder (= burnt very badly): The roast was burnt to a …   English dictionary

  • cinder — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ glowing, hot, red ▪ a fireplace full of glowing red cinders CINDER + NOUN ▪ path, track …   Collocations dictionary

  • cinder — cin|der [ sındər ] noun count usually plural a small piece of something that has been burned almost completely: burned to a cinder (=burned very badly): The roast was burned to a cinder. a. cinders plural the burned pieces left after a fire has… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • cinder — noun (countable usually plural) a very small piece of burnt wood, coal etc: a cold hearth full of cinders | burnt to a cinder (=completely burnt): The cake was burnt to a cinder …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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