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mudflow
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "mudflow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a geological phenomenon where a mass of mud flows down a slope, often as a result of heavy rainfall or volcanic activity. Example: "After the heavy rains, the hillside was devastated by a mudflow that destroyed several homes."
✓ Grammatically correct
Encyclopedias
News & Media
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
24 human-written examples
Two villages, Panabaj and Tzanchaj, were entombed by a mudflow half a mile wide and an estimated 15-20 feet deep.
News & Media
Although a relatively young volcano, Vesuvius had been dormant for centuries before the great eruption of 79 ce that buried the cities of Pompeii and Stabiae under ashes and lapilli and the city of Herculaneum under a mudflow.
Encyclopedias
This movement may be either slow (soil creep), rapid (debris flow or mudflow), or sometimes catastrophic (landslide).
Encyclopedias
In 1845 a mudflow from Mount Ruiz killed approximately 1,000 people on farms near the site where the town of Armero was later built.
Encyclopedias
In hilly and mountainous areas, heavy rain may turn the soil into mud and slurry, which may produce enormous erosion by mudflow generation.
Encyclopedias
In the 1985 mudflow, which was smaller in volume than the 1845 mudflow, more than 20 times as many people were killed.
Encyclopedias
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
32 human-written examples
They want to attend to crops and livestock and guard their houses against looters, despite a new danger of mudflows.
News & Media
Mudflows from severe storms also constitute a natural hazard.
Encyclopedias
Ruiz, Colombia 17,457 5,321 1570 In 1985 a relatively mild eruption melted a glacier on this volcano, triggering mudflows that buried several villages and killed more than 25,000 people.
Encyclopedias
Many of the deposits are not normal lava flows but rather flow breccias, mudflows, tuffs, and other fragmental rocks; the peperino near Rome and the trass of the Eifel district in Germany are examples.
Encyclopedias
These precursors include lava, pyroclastic (e.g., ash) flows and assemblages, and mudflows containing volcanic debris and volcanic alluvium or loess.
Encyclopedias
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When writing about geological events, use "mudflow" to specifically denote a flow of mud and water, as opposed to a more general term like "landslide".
Common error
Avoid using "landslide" when you specifically mean a flow of mud. "Landslide" is a broader term that encompasses various types of mass movement, including rockfalls and debris slides. If the flow is primarily mud, "mudflow" is the more accurate term.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "mudflow" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a specific type of geological event where a mass of mud and water flows down a slope. Ludwig shows examples in both encyclopedic and news contexts, highlighting its descriptive use.
Frequent in
Encyclopedias
44%
News & Media
44%
Science
12%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The term "mudflow" is a noun used to describe a specific geological event: a flow of mud and water down a slope. Ludwig's analysis indicates the term is grammatically correct and commonly used in both encyclopedic and news contexts. While the term ""mudslide"" may be more common, "mudflow" offers technical precision. The phrase appears with high frequency in authoritative sources like the Encyclopedia Britannica, The New York Times, and The Guardian. Due to its descriptive nature, the term carries a neutral register. Ludwig's AI confirms the accurate usage of the term.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
mud slide
This term is a more common and general way to describe a flow of mud.
debris flow
This phrase emphasizes the mixture of debris, including mud, in the flow.
lahar
This term specifically refers to a volcanic mudflow.
slurry flow
Highlights the fluid-like consistency of the mud and debris mixture.
earthflow
Describes a slow-moving, viscous flow of soil and rock.
mass wasting event
This is a broader term that includes mudflows as one type of mass movement.
soil creep
Describes slow, gradual downslope movement of soil, distinct from a rapid flow.
landslide
A more general term for the downslope movement of earth materials.
sediment flow
Emphasizes the movement of sediment-rich water or mud.
avalanche of mud
Uses 'avalanche' to convey the sudden and forceful nature of the mud's movement.
FAQs
How does a "mudflow" differ from a landslide?
A "mudflow" is a specific type of landslide characterized by a flow of mud and water. A landslide is a broader term encompassing various types of mass movement, including rockfalls and debris slides.
What are the common causes of mudflows?
Mudflows are typically triggered by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or volcanic activity, which saturates the soil and causes it to flow downslope.
Are "mudslide" and "mudflow" the same?
The terms "mudflow" and "mudslide" are often used interchangeably, referring to a flow of mud and water down a slope. The phrase "mudflow" is more technical.
What kind of damage can a "mudflow" cause?
Mudflows can cause significant damage to property, infrastructure, and the environment. They can bury homes, destroy roads, and contaminate water sources.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested