Volcanic Ash
Volcanic ash consists of small tephra, which are bits of pulverized rock and glass created by volcanic eruptions less than 2 millimetres (0.1 in) in diameter.
There are 3 mechanisms of volcanic ash formation:
- gas release under decompression causing magmatic eruptions;
- thermal contraction from chilling on contact with water causing phreatomagmatic eruptions,
- ejection of entrained particles during steam eruptions causing phreatic eruptions.
The violent nature of volcanic eruptions involving steam results in the magma and solid rock surrounding the vent being torn into particles of clay to sand size. Volcanic ash can lead to breathing problems and malfunctions in machinery, and clouds of it can threaten aircraft and alter weather patterns.
Ash deposited on the ground after an eruption is known as ashfall deposit. Significant accumulations of ashfall can lead to the immediate destruction of most of the local ecosystem, as well the collapse of roofs on man-made structures. Over time, ashfall can lead to the creation of fertile soils. Ashfall can also become cemented together to form a solid rock called tuff. Over geologic time, the ejection of large quantities of ash can produce an ash cone.
