Pyroclastic
Flow, Montserrat
Earthquakes accompany
volcanic activity, and seismology can help volcanologists
monitor and predict eruptions. A seismological alert led to the
evacuation of the airport on the Caribbean island of Montserrat,
shortly before it was engulfed by this pyroclastic flow from
the erupting Soufriere Hills volcano. Pyroclastic flows are
fast-moving cascades of incandescent volcanic ash and gases
that devastate everything in their path. This event
occurred on 25 June 1997.
Photograph contributed by Amanda Clarke, Arizona State University. |
