Fast Find has been devoted ensuring that people are safe from all kinds of dangerous situations; sadly, many people don’t use the device, nor any other kind of an emergency gadget. That requires a serious consideration – what are the different kinds of volcanic eruptions? How do they differ in scope, size and danger presented? In this short article, we hope to present a short list of volcanic eruption types – and remember, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, stay safe!
Fast Find has been devoted ensuring that people are safe from all kinds of dangerous situations; sadly, many people don’t use the device, nor any other kind of an emergency gadget. That requires a serious consideration – what are the different kinds of volcanic eruptions? How do they differ in scope, size and danger presented? In this short article, we hope to present a short list of volcanic eruption types – and remember, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, stay safe!
Types of Volcanic Eruptions
Hawaiian eruption. In a Hawaiian eruption, basaltic lava in fluid form is propelled high in jets from a vent from the summit or on the side of a volcano. The bursts created by shards of boiling magma spewing out of the crater can melt together to form lava flows, or build the so-called spatter cones. Magma flows may also burst forth from fissures simultaneously when the main eruption occurs, or when the main eruption has ceased. Because these flows are generally very fluid, they can travel miles on end from their source before they cool and harden. On Hawaii, they can reach ocean, resulting in majestic steam curtains.
Strombolian eruptions is a rare type of volcanic eruption, so named after the Stromboli volcano, which has been erupting non stop for centuries. Strombolian eruptions are caused by the bursting of gas bubbles in the magma. Once the magma reaches the surface, the difference in air pressure causes the bubble to burst with a loud pop, throwing magma in the air in a way similar to a soap bubble. True Strombolian eruptions are marked by short-lived and explosive bursts of lava with intermediate viscosity, often ejected high into the air.
Plinain eruptions. These are probably the most notorious eruptions out there, and they are known for explosive ejection of relatively viscous lava. The most famous plinian eruptions - such as during 18 May 1980 at Mount St. Helens - can completely devastate a huge area around the volcano itself. The resulting ash fallout can affect large areas hundreds of miles downwind. Fast deadly pyroclastic flows (also called "nuées ardentes") are also commonly associated with plinian eruptions.
Phreatic eruption - this is a special kind of an eruption, driven by the heat from magma mixing and mingling with water. The water can be from groundwater, a lake or the sea. Phreatic eruptions shatter all the nearby rocks and can create ash, but they generally don't produce much new magma as it gets petrified in contact with water.
Hawaiian eruption. In a Hawaiian eruption, basaltic lava in fluid form is propelled high in jets from a vent from the summit or on the side of a volcano. The bursts created by shards of boiling magma spewing out of the crater can melt together to form lava flows, or build the so-called spatter cones. Magma flows may also burst forth from fissures simultaneously when the main eruption occurs, or when the main eruption has ceased. Because these flows are generally very fluid, they can travel miles on end from their source before they cool and harden. On Hawaii, they can reach ocean, resulting in majestic steam curtains.
Strombolian eruptions is a rare type of volcanic eruption, so named after the Stromboli volcano, which has been erupting non stop for centuries. Strombolian eruptions are caused by the bursting of gas bubbles in the magma. Once the magma reaches the surface, the difference in air pressure causes the bubble to burst with a loud pop, throwing magma in the air in a way similar to a soap bubble. True Strombolian eruptions are marked by short-lived and explosive bursts of lava with intermediate viscosity, often ejected high into the air.
Plinain eruptions. These are probably the most notorious eruptions out there, and they are known for explosive ejection of relatively viscous lava. The most famous plinian eruptions - such as during 18 May 1980 at Mount St. Helens - can completely devastate a huge area around the volcano itself. The resulting ash fallout can affect large areas hundreds of miles downwind. Fast deadly pyroclastic flows (also called "nuées ardentes") are also commonly associated with plinian eruptions.
Phreatic eruption - this is a special kind of an eruption, driven by the heat from magma mixing and mingling with water. The water can be from groundwater, a lake or the sea. Phreatic eruptions shatter all the nearby rocks and can create ash, but they generally don't produce much new magma as it gets petrified in contact with water.
Some Final Thoughts
Of course, odds are that you will never be endangered by a volcanic eruption; however, if you live in a zone close to a volcano, or a visiting one, it is good to know to which type that volcano belongs.
Volcano tourism has been on constant increase; volcanos like Etna or Hawaiian volcanoes are long term tourist attractions that don't seem to be dwindling. Of course, visiting a volcano might be an expensive endeavour, as most of them lie dormant. You may consider taking a bank loan or couch surfing in other to visit one; for other options, click here. Whatever happens, however, be sure take measures necessary to prevent any case of incident that may harm you or others around you. Better to be safe than sorry.
Of course, odds are that you will never be endangered by a volcanic eruption; however, if you live in a zone close to a volcano, or a visiting one, it is good to know to which type that volcano belongs.
Volcano tourism has been on constant increase; volcanos like Etna or Hawaiian volcanoes are long term tourist attractions that don't seem to be dwindling. Of course, visiting a volcano might be an expensive endeavour, as most of them lie dormant. You may consider taking a bank loan or couch surfing in other to visit one; for other options, click here. Whatever happens, however, be sure take measures necessary to prevent any case of incident that may harm you or others around you. Better to be safe than sorry.
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