Analyzing pyroclastic flows in real life is not only difficult, but also profoundly dangerous. So a team of scientists decided to replicate them in a laboratory using a literal ton of volcanic ...

Pyroclastic density current (PDC): A turbulent, high-density flow composed of volcanic ash, lapilli and gases that descends rapidly along a volcano’s slope following an eruption.

Pyroclastic flows can be extremely dangerous as they travel at average speeds of 60 miles per hour (100 kmph) and can reach temperatures up to 1,000°C (1,800°F).

But the defining event of Monday’s eruption was the more rare pyroclastic flow from the southwestern crater not visible from a distance. The volcano is Europe’s most active, and the continent’s ...

The event climaxed around 11:23 a.m. when the pyroclastic flow, triggered when magma mixed with snow, traveled 2 kilometers (more than a mile) to the Valle del Leone within a minute.

The event climaxed around 11:23 a.m. when the pyroclastic flow, triggered when magma mixed with snow, traveled more than a mile to the Valle del Leone within a minute.

The defining event of Monday’s eruption was the rare pyroclastic flow from the southwestern crater, not visible from a distance. Updated June 4, 2025 at 3:45 a.m. June 3, 2025.

The most recent pyroclastic flows with significant reach were recorded on February 10, 2022, October 23, 2021, December 13, 2020 and February 11, 2014, Marco Viccaro, president of Italy's national ...

The event climaxed around 11:23 a.m. when the pyroclastic flow, triggered when magma mixed with snow, traveled 2 kilometers (more than a mile) to the Valle del Leone within a minute.