Tuff
A rock classification type
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About Tuff
A pyroclastic rock where the average size of more than 75% of the pyroclastic fragments is less than 64mm and less than 25% of the fragments are lapilli. A general term for all consolidated pyroclastic rocks.
Not to be confused with tufa. Adj: tuffaceous.
Not to be confused with tufa. Adj: tuffaceous.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
48591
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:48591:5
Similar Names
Classification of Tuff

Classification of polymodal pyroclastic rocks (after Fisher, 1966)
Sub-divisions of Tuff
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Cenozoic : 10.1 ± 1.0 Ma to 0.084 ± 0.0007 Ma - based on 7 recorded ages.
Sample ages:
| Sample ID | Recorded age | Geologic Time | Dating method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.181 ± 0.0012 to 0.084 ± 0.0007 Ma | Pleistocene | Ar/Ar |
| 2 | 0.94 ± 0.14 Ma | Pleistocene | |
| 3 | 2.54 Ma | Pleistocene | K-Ar |
| 4 | 4.8 ± 0.2 Ma | Pliocene | K-Ar |
| 5 | 5.332 to 2.588 Ma | Cenozoic | geological evidence |
| 6 | 10 to 7 Ma | Miocene | |
| 7 | 10.1 ± 1.0 Ma | Miocene | K-Ar |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pantelleria Island, Trapani Province, Sicily, Italy | age for welded and rheomorphic ignimbrites that preceded the 2 caldera collapses | |
| 2 | Mount Murphy, Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica, Antarctica | ||
| 3 | Chilallo Volcano, Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia | ||
| 4 | Kanatim Volcano, Turkana County, Kenya | from basal welded tuff | |
| 5 | Mau Volcanic Area, Narok County, Kenya | ||
| 6 | Jones Mountains, West Antarctica, Antarctica | ||
| 7 | Jebel Siroua, Askaouen Caïdat, Taliouine Cercle, Taroudant Province, Souss-Massa Region, Morocco |
Synonyms of Tuff
Other Language Names for Tuff
French:Tuf
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Tuff associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 4 photos of Tuff associated with Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O |
| 3 photos of Tuff associated with 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series' | |
| 1 photo of Tuff associated with Native Sulphur | S8 |
| 1 photo of Tuff associated with 'Basalt' | |
| 1 photo of Tuff associated with 'Chalcedony' | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Tuff associated with Opal | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 1 photo of Tuff associated with Stilbite-Ca | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O |
| 1 photo of Tuff associated with Thomsonite-Ca | NaCa2[Al5Si5O20] · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Tuff associated with Garnet Group | X3Z2(SiO4)3 |
Internet Links for Tuff
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-48591.html
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Aiguilhe, Le Puy-en-Velay, Haute-Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France