What hazard can engulf an entire town with little warning when a volcano erupts nearby?

Pyroclastic flow is a fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter that can travel down the slopes of a volcano at high speeds, typically exceeding 100 km/h (62 mph). This phenomenon is especially dangerous because it can occur with little to no warning, posing significant threats to anyone in its path. When a volcano erupts, pyroclastic flows can engulf entire areas, including towns, in a matter of minutes due to their speed and the density of the materials involved.

The extreme temperatures of pyroclastic flows, which can exceed 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit), contribute to their capability to destroy structures and lead to fatalities. The ability of this hazard to travel rapidly and cover vast distances makes it particularly devastating compared to other volcanic hazards.

In contrast, while lava flows can also cause destruction, they typically move at much slower speeds, allowing people more time to evacuate. Tephra fall, which refers to volcanic ash and debris that falls from the eruption cloud, can cover areas but does not usually engulf them as quickly as pyroclastic flows. Earthquake tremors, although potentially damaging, are not a direct result of a volcanic eruption and do not have the same engulfing nature associated with volcanic