What is a lahars?
Quick Answer
A lahar is a volcanic mudflow made of water mixed with ash, rock, and debris. It can rush down river valleys far from the volcano.
The Full Story
Lahars can be triggered when heavy rain, melting snow or ice, crater-lake failures, or eruptions mix loose volcanic material with water. They behave like wet concrete and can bury roads, bridges, towns, and farmland. Mount Rainier in the United States is considered a major lahar hazard because it has a large amount of snow and ice on a steep volcanic cone. The 1985 Nevado del Ruiz disaster in Colombia, which killed more than 23,000 people in Armero, is one of the deadliest lahar tragedies in recorded history.
Key Facts
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"When a volcano turns into a river of mud"
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