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What is lahars?
Quick Answer
A lahar is a fast-moving volcanic mudflow made of water mixed with ash, rock and debris. It can travel far from a volcano and bury valleys and towns.
The Full Story
Lahars form when volcanic material mixes with water from heavy rain, melting snow and ice, crater lakes or erupted steam. They can race down river valleys like wet concrete, destroying bridges, roads and buildings in their path. The 1985 Nevado del Ruiz disaster in Colombia showed how deadly lahars can be, killing more than 23,000 people. Because they can occur during or long after eruptions, lahar hazard zones are closely monitored.
Key Facts
1.Volcanic mudflows can travel down river valleys
2.Nevado del Ruiz killed more than 23,000 people in 1985
3.Triggered by rain, melted snow or crater-lake water
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The deadly mudflow that can outrun a city"
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