What is a pyroclastic flow? What actually killed the Kraft's? We also just watched the video about them and were wondering how they died. Was anything gained in terms of new knowledge by their deaths? Do vulcanologists make a lot of money? These questi ons are all from a general science class in St. Louis, MO. Thank you!

Hi General Science Class,

1. a pyroclastic flow is a mixture of hot gas and ash. Some pyroclastic flows form as magma boils up out of a vent but is too dense to go high into the air. Other pyroclastic flows form when a high erupting column collapses on its self and all the material spreads out quickly over the ground. The third type of pyroclastic flow (and the type that killed the Krafts) occurs when the side of a lava dome or steep lava flow collapses. Not only is there all the hot lava rock material (which acts pretty much like a regular avalanche), there is also a release of pressure on the interior of the dome (or flow), which causes explosions that produce ash. These are usually called "block and ash flows".

2. I don't know exactly how they died, but it was probably from breathing in the hot gas and ash, and hopefully it was quick.

3. I don't know if anything was gained by their deaths. If any of their film survived it might have captured the close-up details of a block and ash flow. I don't know if any of their film survived.

4. Most volcanologists either work for the government or at a university. Neither pays particularly well, but it isn't poverty either.

Sincerely,

Scott Rowland

Other Categories        Other Questions
To VolcanoWorld