Tuff is a type of rock made of volcanic ash ejected from a vent during a volcanic eruption. Following ejection and deposition, the ash is lithified into a solid rock.[1][2] Rock that contains greater than 75% ash is considered tuff, while rock containing 25% to 75% ash is described as tuffaceous (for example, tuffaceous sandstone).[3] A pyroclastic rock containing 25–75% volcanic bombs and/or volcanic blocks is called tuff breccia.[4] Tuff composed of sandy volcanic material can be referred to as volcanic sandstone.[5]
Tuff is a relatively soft rock, so it has been used for construction since ancient times.[6] Because it is common in Italy, the Romans used it often for construction.[7] The Rapa Nui people used it to make most of the moai statues on Easter Island.[8]