Question

Which type of volcanic eruption is considered the most dangerous due to its extreme heat and speed?

• A. Effusive eruption
• B. Glowing avalanche (pyroclastic flow)
• C. Gentle lava outflow
• D. Submarine eruption

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Glowing avalanche (pyroclastic flow)

The type of volcanic eruption considered the most dangerous due to its extreme heat and speed is a glowing avalanche, more formally known as a pyroclastic flow.

• Composition: A pyroclastic flow is a fast-moving current of superheated gas, volcanic ash, and rock fragments.

• Extreme Heat: Temperatures within a pyroclastic flow can reach hundreds of degrees Celsius (e.g., 200°C to 700°C, or even up to 1000°C). This heat is instantly lethal and can incinerate everything in its path.

• High Speed: These flows can travel at incredible speeds, often exceeding 100 km/h (60 mph) and sometimes reaching several hundred kilometers per hour, making escape virtually impossible once one is initiated.

• Mechanism: They commonly form during explosive eruptions when the eruption column collapses or when a lava dome collapses.

• Devastating Impact: Their combination of extreme heat, speed, and destructive force makes them the deadliest volcanic hazard.