Incus

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-006482",
  "term": "Incus",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "The anvil-shaped top of a mature cumulonimbus cloud, formed when the rising air currents reach the tropopause and spread horizontally. This spreading occurs because the air encounters a stable layer where its buoyancy is lost, creating a distinctive flat or fibrous cap. The incus is composed primarily of ice crystals and can extend many kilometers from the main cloud tower.",
  "synonyms": [
    "anvil",
    "anvil cloud",
    "thunderhead"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "cloud classification"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/incus/"
}