Question: What can u tell me about volcanic ash?

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  1. Hi Robert,

    Basically, volcanic ash is made up of tiny, dust-like fragments of jagged rock, minerals and volcanic glass.

    Unlike the soft ash created by burning wood, volcanic ash is hard, abrasive, and does not dissolve in water. It can conduct electricity when it is wet. This ability allows ash to “recharge” itself as it drifts into storms.

    Hope it helps! 🙂

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  2. Hi robert, good question! I agree with what Denise has said. Here is a little video that can tell you more about volcanic ash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSsjD__Qjd0

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  3. Hi Robert,
    indeed Denise and Jesse have given a nice overview of what is volcanic ash. I also liked your previous question about the consequences of volcanic ash on the environment. I think it’s a very relevant topic, especially when people is living in the vicinity of an active volcano, as for example in Naples (Italy). Knowing in advance the possible consequences of an eruption might lead to a safer approach to, for example, house construction and land use.

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  4. Hi Robert:
    Volcanic ash is the fine-grained material that comes out of volcanoes during explosive eruptions. Because of its size and rapid entrance into the atmosphere, it is usually glass made of silica. That means that it cooled fast and crystals did not have time to grow. As we have mentioned in other answers to questions, volcanic as can be a natural hazard when it is deposited hot (pyroclastic clouds) and if breathed by humans (it is abrasive to lungs). It also fertlizes soils as it weathers into them.
    When the explosive material is larger (sand size to boulder size) then we call those lapili and volcanic bombs. Usually those have more rock and mineral material.

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