Identify some of the major volcanic hazards, and explain how they develop. (E)

Some major volcanic hazards include pyroclastic flows, lava flows, lahars, ash fall, and volcanic gases. Pyroclastic flows are avalanches of hot gas, ash, and rocks that develop from high-pressure explosions in the magma chamber. Lava flows are streams of molten rock that emerge when magma reaches the surface. Lahars are volcanic mudflows resulting from the mixture of volcanic ash and water, often caused by melting snow, glaciers, or heavy rainfall. Ash fall occurs when volcanic ash particles are ejected into the atmosphere and eventually fall back to the ground, impacting human health, agriculture, and infrastructure. Volcanic gases, primarily consisting of water vapor but also including sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, develop as magma rises to the surface and releases trapped gases, which can be harmful to human health and the environment.