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What are mudflows, debris flows, and lahars?

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Final answer:

Mudflows, debris flows, and lahars are types of slope movements that occur when the slope material becomes saturated with water. They can cause flooding, blockages, and significant damage and destruction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mudflows, debris flows, and lahars are types of slope movements that occur when the slope material becomes saturated with water.

A mudflow is a rapid flow of a mixture of rock, mud, and water. It picks up debris along its path, such as trees, houses, and cars, and can cause flooding and blockages of bridges and tributaries.

A debris flow is similar to a mudflow but is primarily composed of larger rock fragments and debris. It moves downslope with significant force, causing damage and destruction.

A lahar is a volcanic mudflow that occurs when volcanic ash and debris mixes with water, usually from heavy rainfall or melting snow. Lahars can be extremely destructive and can travel long distances from the volcano.

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User Omar Bahareth
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