1.2.7

Volcano Eruptions

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Volcano Eruption

When a volcano erupts at the Earth's surface, it can produce lots of different things, including:

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Lava

  • Lava is magma (molten rock) above the surface of the Earth.
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Gases

  • Volcanoes emit lots of gases like sulfur.
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Ash

  • Ash is tiny pieces of burnt rock fragments that are blown into the atmosphere, usually at some force.
  • These pieces fall on land and can float in the air, causing a volcanic winter (by blocking out the sun).
  • A volcanic winter describes when a volcano erupts, producing lots of ash, which then blocks the sun. Mount Pinatubo's 1991 eruption reduced global temperatures for 3 years.
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Pyroclastic flows

  • Pyroclastic flows are currents of hot ash, lava and gas that can move downhill at speeds of up to 500km/h during an eruption.
  • Pyroclastic flows are impossible to outrun.
  • They can reach temperatures of up to 1000oC and can cover distances of up to 30km from the volcano.
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Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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