Week 7: Volcano Prediction and Mitigation

Which direct volcanic hazard is the most deadly?

• Pyroclastic Flow

• Ash clouds

• Lava flows

• Pyroclastic surges

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What are some differences between lava flows and pyroclastic flows?

• The composition of flow: Lava flow is primarily magma while pyroclastic flow is mainly gases, ash and rocks

• The speed: Lava flows are slower than pyroclastic flows

• The composition of flow: Lava flow is made up of gasses, ash and rocks while pyroclastic flow is made of magma

• The speed: Lava flows are faster than pyroclastic flows

[___] is a very big concern following volcano eruptions. It can cover large areas surrounding the volcano and cause lots of effort to go to cleaning it up while disrupting local businesses, schools and services. If it's bad enough, it can completely haIt air travel. It can also get into lungs and be directly detrimental to human health.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What factors contribute to pyroclastic flows being so dangerous?

• Speed: They can travel at speeds upward of 200mph

• Composition: They are made up of gases, ash and volcanic rocks that are hazardous to people

• Unpredictable: Pyroclastic flows, their path and their speed can't be reliably predicted even if an eruption is

• Heat: They are extremely hot

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What type of lava flow is this?

• Aa

• Pahoehoe

What are the primary signs that a volcano is getting ready to erupt?

• Seismic activity: Earthquakes start occurring near the magma chamber

• Gas Emissions: Gas starts coming out of vents on the volcano.

• Ground Deformation: The surface on or near the volcano starts shifting shape

• Cloud formation: Clouds start forming above the volcano due to rising gasses

• Stiffening: The rocks making up the volcano cool down and start becoming harder

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Which hazard is described as fragments of rock that are produced when magma or rock is explosively ejected.

• Tephra

• Lava Flow

• Pyroclastic Flow

• Lahar

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What allowed the Montserrat eruption of 1997 to have such a low number of fatalities?

• It was a weak, effusive eruption

• Volcanologists correctly saw the signs of eruption and issued evacuation orders

• Montserrat is a largely uninhabited island

• It didn't have pyroclastic flows

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A long dormant volcano is being monitored. It's recently had some earthquakes happening nearby with unique waves unlike tectonic plate earthquakes. It's also had some gasses pouring out of vents and the peak. Would you say those are reasonable enough signs to monitor the earthquake more closely for an eruption?

• Yes

• No

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Based off the Volcanic Explosivity Index, what is the most powerful eruption in RECORDED human history?

• Tambora, 1815

• Krakatau, 1883

• Mt. St. Helens, 1980

• Vesuvius, 79 AD