Pyroclastic Flow
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effusive
Eruption
Pyroclastic
Flow
Phreatic
Eruption
Plinian
Eruption
Strombolian
Eruption
Vulcanian
Eruption
USGS image
A hot avalanche of ash, pumice, small rock pieces, and gases that flow close to the ground down a volcano is called a pyroclastic flow. These flows can move 100 kilometers per hour or faster and they can be hotter than 500 degrees centegrade. This hot avalanche burns everything in its path. It also moves fast enough and hard enough to flatten everything in its way.
 

 

 

Volcano Team Glossary Site Outline Activities
Photo Citations
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Text Citations
1. USGS Volcano Photo Glossary: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/Pglossary/PyroFlow.html , Last visited 3-6-03.