Agglomerate

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The rock consists of 30% or more by volume of fragments in a clay-rich or tuffaceous groundmass. The fragments are angular and predominantly consist of lava, although it may also be intermingled with other rock types.Agglomerates (from the Latin 'agglomerare' meaning 'to form into a ball') are coarse accumulations of large blocks of volcanic material that contain at least 75% bombs. Volcanic bombs differ from volcanic blocks in that their shape records fluidal surfaces: they may, for example, have ropy, cauliform, scoriaceous, or folded, chilled margins and spindle, spatter, ribbon, ragged, or amoeboid shapes.

Globular masses of lava may have been shot from the crater at a time when partly molten lava was exposed, and was frequently shattered by sudden outbursts of steam.

Agglomerates are typically found near volcanic vents and within volcanic conduits, where they may be associated with pyroclastic or intrusive volcanic breccias. Agglomerates are typically poorly sorted, may contain a fine ash or tuff matrix and vary from matrix to clast support.

They may by monolithologic or hetrolithic, and may contain some blocks of various igneous rocks. There are various differences between agglomerates and ordinary ash beds or tuffs. Agglomerates are coarser and less frequently well-bedded. Agglomerates can be non-welded or welded,  such as coarse basaltic 'spatter'. They typically form proximally during Strombolian eruptions, and are common at strongly peralkaline volcanoes. Some large agglomerate deposits are deposited from pyroclastic density currents during explosive caldera-forming eruptions. They may be massive to crudely bedded, and can attain great thicknesses.