Question

What happens when a volcano's eruption column reaches cooler air?

A) Heat dissipates quickly
B) Pyroclasts cool and spread
C) Ash clouds form
D) Magma solidifies rapidly

Answer 1

When a volcano's eruption column reaches cooler air, the pyroclasts cool and spread, heat dissipates quickly, and in some cases, magma solidifies rapidly.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a volcano's eruption column reaches cooler air, several things happen:

- Pyroclasts, which are the fragmented materials ejected from the volcano, cool down and spread. This can result in the formation of ash clouds.

- Heat dissipates quickly as the hot volcanic gases come into contact with the cooler air.

- In some cases, magma can solidify rapidly, especially if the temperature contrast between the eruption column and the surrounding air is significant.