Lahars and their deposits

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Abstract

Lahars occur during volcanic eruptions--or, less predictably, through other processes on steep volcanic terrain--when large masses of water mixed with sediment sweep down and off volcano slopes and commonly incorporate additional sediment and water. Because lahars are water-saturated, both liquid and solid interactions influence their behavior and distinguish them from other related phenomena common to volcanoes, such as debris avalanches and floods. The rock fragments carried by lahars make them especially destructive; the abundant liquid contained in them allows them to flow over gentle gradients and inundate areas far away from their sources. People in such distal areas commonly neither expect the danger nor anticipate the destructive power of lahars.
Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Lahars and their deposits
DOI 10.1016/B978-0-12-385938-9.00037-7
Edition 2
Year Published 2015
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
Description 26 p.
Larger Work Title Encyclopedia of volcanoes
Last page 649
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