9.1

Question 1

Explain how pyroclastic flows are formed

Answer 1

Pyroclastic flows are rapidly moving mixtures of air and gases and very hot volcanic fragments, usually of ash formed from explosive eruptions at destructive plate boundaries in high acidic magma.

Side eruptions occur when a lava plug blocks a volcanic vent and gas charged lava can escape through a gap in the volcano’s flank, leading to a hot incandescent cloud of gas and fine particles which flows rapidly downhill due to its high intensity