Natural disasters can be different, but one of the most dangerous is rightfully recognized as a volcanic eruption. Every day on the planet, up to ten such emissions occur, many of which people do not even notice.
What is a volcano?
A volcano is a geological formation located on the surface of the earth's crust. At the locations of the craters, magma comes out and forms lava, followed by gases and rock fragments.
The stone giant got its name from the ancient Roman god of fire, who bore the magnificent name of Volcano.
Classification
Such mountains can be qualified on several grounds. So, for example, in form, these formations are divided into the following types:
- Shield
- Stratovolcanoes.
- Slag.
- Cone-shaped.
- Dome.
In addition, volcanoes can be identified depending on their location:
- Terrestrial.
- Underwater.
- Subglacial.
In addition, among the inhabitants there is another, simple classification, which depends on the degree of activity of volcanoes:
- Acting. This education is characterized by the fact that erupted relatively recently.
- Sleeping volcano. By this definition is meant a mountain that is currently inactive, but may erupt in the future.
- An extinct volcano is a tectonic formation, no longer able to gush.
Why do volcanoes erupt?
Before you deal with those products that come out of the volcano during an eruption, you need to know what this terrible phenomenon is and what its causes are.
By eruption is meant the exit to the surface of lava flows, which is accompanied by the emission of gases and ash. Volcanoes erupt due to the large number of substances accumulated in magma.
What comes out of a volcano during an eruption?
Magma is constantly under very high pressure, so the gases always remain dissolved in it in the form of a liquid. The molten rock, which the onslaught of volatile substances gradually pushes to the surface, passes through cracks and enters the hard layers of the mantle. Here magma is rapidly coming out.
It would seem that there should no longer be questions about what appears during the eruption of a volcano, because magma turns into lava and spills onto the surface. However, in fact, during the eruption, in addition to these components, many different substances can manifest themselves to the world.
Lava
Lava is the most famous product emitted during active volcanic activity. It is precisely it that people most often point to when answering the question: “What comes out of a volcano during an eruption?” A photo of this hot substance can be seen in the article.
Lava masses are compounds of silicon, aluminum and other metals. There is also an interesting fact associated with it: it is known that this is the only earthly product in which you can find all the elements that are in the periodic table.
Lava is a red-hot magma that flows from the crater of a volcano and goes down its slopes. During the ascent, the composition of the underground guest constantly undergoes changes due to atmospheric factors. In addition, a large number of gases, which together with magma rise to the surface, make it bubbly.
The average temperature of the lava is 1000 degrees, so it easily destroys all the obstacles that arise in its path.
Wreckage
It is no less interesting to consider what happens when a volcano erupts, except for lava. In the midst of the process, huge debris is being thrown onto the surface of the earth, which scientists have called tephra.
The largest fragments, known as “volcanic bombs,” are distinguished from the total mass. These fragments are liquid products that freeze in the air during ejection. The size of such stones may vary: the smallest of them are similar to peas, and the largest ones exceed the size of a walnut.
Ashes
Also, answering the question “What comes out of the volcano?”, We must not forget about the ashes. It is he who often leads to catastrophic consequences, because it stands out even with a minor eruption, which can not harm people.
Small particles of ash spread through the air at great speed - up to 100 kilometers per hour. Naturally, a significant amount of this substance can fall into the throat of a person during breathing, therefore, during an eruption, you should cover your face with a handkerchief or a special respirator. A feature of the ashes is that it is able to cross vast distances even bypassing water and hills. These small particles are so hot that they constantly glow in the dark.
Gases
Do not forget that what comes out of the volcano during an eruption, among other things, a large amount of gas. The composition of this volatile mixture includes hydrogen, sulfur and carbon. Minor amounts contain boron, bromic acid, mercury, and metals.
All gases that are released from the vent of the volcano during the eruption are white. And if tephra is mixed with gases, then the clubs acquire a black tint. Often it is from the black smoke coming from the volcanic crater that people determine that an ejection will occur soon and that they need to be evacuated.
In addition, you need to know what comes out of the volcano during an eruption, in addition to the above substances. This is a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide. So, for example, on some islands, the volcanic spirit extends over hundreds of kilometers.
A noteworthy fact: a small amount of gas continues to be released from the vent of the volcano for several years from the day of the eruption. Moreover, such emissions are very toxic, and getting into the water with rains, they poison it and make it unsuitable for drinking.