Today, Flank eruption is a topic that has acquired great relevance in various areas. From the political to the technological sphere, Flank eruption has captured the attention of millions of people around the world. Its importance lies in its influence on society and the way it impacts our daily lives. Throughout history, Flank eruption has evolved and generated heated debates that have set standards and significant changes in different sectors. In this article, we will explore the many facets of Flank eruption and analyze its impact today.
Type of volcanic eruption
The 2002 eruption of Mount Etna was a flank eruption, occurring along two rift zones to the north-east and south of the summit craters. In this image taken from the International Space Station, the northeast flank is in the foreground. Steam rising from the summit craters obscures the lower part of the south flank eruption column.
A flank eruption is a volcanic eruption which occurs on the flanks of a volcano, instead of at its summit. Such eruptions occur when the conduit connecting the summit to the magma chamber below is blocked, forcing the magma to move laterally.
Where there are inhabited areas on the flanks of a volcano, flank eruptions may be more destructive and dangerous than summit eruptions.[4] Flank eruptions may also trigger the collapse of the volcanic edifice, causing lateral eruptions (such as the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens), landslides and tsunamis. Collapse-drive eruptions are among the largest and most destructive volcanic phenomena.[5]