Final answer:
A pyroclastic flow is a fast-moving, superheated mixture of rock fragments, ash, and gas that is expelled during a volcanic eruption. It is one of the most destructive and deadly hazards associated with volcanoes.
Step-by-step explanation:
A pyroclastic flow is a fast-moving, superheated mixture of rock fragments, ash, and gas that is expelled during a volcanic eruption. It is one of the most destructive and deadly hazards associated with volcanoes.
During a pyroclastic flow, the erupting volcano emits a dense, turbulent cloud of hot gas and rock that flows down the sides of the volcano at high speeds, typically reaching velocities of over 60 miles per hour. The flow can extend for several miles and can easily overrun and destroy everything in its path.
The temperature of a pyroclastic flow is extremely high, often exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,800 degrees Fahrenheit). This intense heat is capable of causing severe burns, incinerating vegetation and structures, and instantly killing anyone caught in its path.