Properties of Volcanic Ash
During volcanic eruptions, a shroud of volcanic ash is created, and the volcanic ash is very dangerous for the surrounding environment and species.
The size of the volcanic particles are differ. The bigger particles are found closer to the eruption. This means that the cloud of volcanic ash is more hazardous if it is close to the volcano. Particles of volcanic ash can be found as far as 700 kilometers away from the volcano. The area within 700 kilometers is affected by the hazardous volcanic ash.
There are different types of volcanic ash such as pumice, glass shards, crystals, lithic particles. Some are more dense and harder then other particles. The glass shards contain Si, Al, K, Na, Ca, and Mg. These elements are related to the chemistry of magma.
The volcanic ash is hazardous due to its wide range of contamination. The volcanic ash can become a problem for the environment because it results in bad air quality.
The size of the volcanic particles are differ. The bigger particles are found closer to the eruption. This means that the cloud of volcanic ash is more hazardous if it is close to the volcano. Particles of volcanic ash can be found as far as 700 kilometers away from the volcano. The area within 700 kilometers is affected by the hazardous volcanic ash.
There are different types of volcanic ash such as pumice, glass shards, crystals, lithic particles. Some are more dense and harder then other particles. The glass shards contain Si, Al, K, Na, Ca, and Mg. These elements are related to the chemistry of magma.
The volcanic ash is hazardous due to its wide range of contamination. The volcanic ash can become a problem for the environment because it results in bad air quality.
Tephra
Tephra is the term for volcanic rock and lava, which means volcanic ash is small pieces of tephra. Tephra ranges from 2mm to 1 m, and similar to the volcanic ash, the smaller the tephra the further it travels.
The smaller pieces of tephra are very hazardous for the environment. They are made of pumice, glass shards, crystals, and shattered rocks. There are many types of different shattered rocks such as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. All of these different types of tephra may lower visibility due to the thick and dense clouds of tephra. This makes the environment dangerous and also prevents transportation.
The picture to the left is an example of the decrease in visibility. The tephra from volcanoes can cause cars to stall because of the abrasion. The rocks usually damage the brakes, transmission, etc. and makes the roads slippery.
The smaller pieces of tephra are very hazardous for the environment. They are made of pumice, glass shards, crystals, and shattered rocks. There are many types of different shattered rocks such as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. All of these different types of tephra may lower visibility due to the thick and dense clouds of tephra. This makes the environment dangerous and also prevents transportation.
The picture to the left is an example of the decrease in visibility. The tephra from volcanoes can cause cars to stall because of the abrasion. The rocks usually damage the brakes, transmission, etc. and makes the roads slippery.
Pyroclastic Flow
Pyroclastic flow is another very dangerous result of a volcanic eruption. The pyroclastic flows that erupt from a volcano are travelling at high speeds and destroys nearly everything in its path.
The picture to the left shows the aftermath of an area around Mount Pinatubo. The area has been buried by the pyroclastic flow from the volcanic eruption and has left the land isolated. The valley is buried with pumice, ash, and many other types of volcanic rocks. The pyroclastic flow can travel from 12 to 16 km from the volcano, which means the damage has a wide radius.
The picture to the left shows the aftermath of an area around Mount Pinatubo. The area has been buried by the pyroclastic flow from the volcanic eruption and has left the land isolated. The valley is buried with pumice, ash, and many other types of volcanic rocks. The pyroclastic flow can travel from 12 to 16 km from the volcano, which means the damage has a wide radius.