Showing papers on "Pyroclastic rock published in 2024"

Volcanic Eruption

Abstract: Volcanic eruptions pose significant destructive potential, which can materialize without warning. Immediate risks to loss of life occur because of pyroclastic flows from a collapsing ash column, which historically is the greatest threat to local populations. These may occur suddenly during an eruption and move with great speed down the flanks of a volcano. Pyroclastic flows, also known as “glowing avalanches,” contain both ash and toxic gases and move a great distance from the volcano where local populations likely reside. Lahars from snow melt and landslides producing rivers of thick mud are another major cause of mortality and property destruction. Fallout of tephra consists of a spectrum of very small particles that cool quickly to lava bombs, which are well known to ignite roofs and cause head trauma. Fallout of ash occurs both near and far away from an eruption, which can render roads impassable and cause roof collapse. Respirators and N95 or equivalent masks are required to prevent inhalation of small ash particulates capable of penetrating into the lung alveoli. Simple cloth masks have little filtration capacity and are not improved with wetting. Advance planning in disaster response that relies on the historical behavior of past eruptions and the type of volcanic ejecta is required. Disaster plans should rely on preemptory evacuations, consultations with volcanologists, and shelter in place recommendations at a greater distance from the eruption. In some instances, toxic gases from active, albeit nonerupting, volcanoes also impact local populations.