News Earth

Volcanic avalanches of rock and gas may be more destructive than previously thought

High-pressure pulses in the flows would act like a jackhammer on obstacles

A pyroclastic flow, or an avalanche of gas, ash and rock, flowing down a volcano

Pyroclastic flows — volcanic avalanches of gas, ash and rock — possess rhythmic, high-pressure pulses, a new study suggests.

Stocktrek Images/Richard Roscoe/Getty Images Plus

By Nikk Ogasa

- More than 2 years ago

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

Avalanches of ash, gas and rock that cascade downhill during volcanic eruptions may be even more dangerous than scientists had realized.