pyroclastic flows

Pyroclastic flows are fast-moving, destructive currents of hot gases, ash, and volcanic fragments that rush down the slopes of a volcano during an eruption. They can reach speeds over 100 miles per hour and temperatures exceeding 1,000°C (1,832°F). These flows are capable of devastating everything in their path, destroying buildings, forests, and landscapes due to their extreme heat and force. They form when an explosive volcanic eruption causes a column of ash and gases to collapse or when a hot avalanche of volcanic material surges downslope, posing significant hazards to nearby communities and ecosystems.