Tephra

Tephra is an all-purpose term used to describe any kind of rock fragment or lava that are erupted into the air regardless of their relative size (VHP WWW Team, 2000).  This includes ash and large fragments.  The farther away from the volcano that erupted it, the smaller the pieces tend to get (VHP WWW Team, 2000).  Using these layers will help scientists determine what kind of eruption there was.
 

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/30410914-077_large.jpg

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/Tephra/description_tephra.html
   
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