Describe the range of physical phenomena that are associated with volcanic hazards. What techniques may be used to mitigate against volcanic disasters?

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Describe the range of physical phenomena that are associated with volcanic hazards. What techniques may be used to mitigate against volcanic disasters?

Volcanic eruptions bring with them a large range of hazards. This report will describe the different range of hazards associated with volcanic activity and discus possible ways that hazards can be avoided. A volcanic eruption can, force people to leave their homes, damage sources of water, destroy homes and farms, restrict travel and kill.

Pyroclastic flow is a flow of volcanic rock, and the most devastating effect of an explosive eruption. A pyroclastic eruption is one in which the great majority of activity involves fountaining or explosions. Nothing from a volcano is as blistering hot and moves with as much power and speed as a pyroclastic flow. A pyroclastic flow starts with rocks and gasses being shot up to 20 miles high into a mushroom shaped cloud. Later the column collapses and rocks and hot ash avalanche down the mountain. The rocks have the effect of running water as they it suffocates everything in its way. Large boulders are carried down the volcano as smaller rocks turn and act like a conveyor belt under them. It was a pyroclastic flow that destroyed Pompeii and killed thousands in 79AD.

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Pyroclastic flows are nothing like the slow predictable movement of lava. Molten rock creeps along the surface but very rarely takes lives as it is easily outrun. Lava flows have a devastating effect on houses and other structures as it can destroy these very easily.

Heavy ash fall spat out by the volcano can make breathing hard and flatten houses. The ash is especially more dangerous if wet. Volcanic ash is material thrown out of a volcano as particles, and less than 2mm across. Ash can damage crops or force an area to be abandoned.

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