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Cold Lava
Context:
Cold lava’ rivers flow in the Philippines after Mount Canlaon eruption.
More on News:
- Cold lava gushing out onto the streets and rivers downstream following an eruption at Mount Canlaon in the Philippines.
- Recently, erupted on Mount Merapi – the most active volcano in Sumatra.
About Cold Lava:
- The phrase ‘cold lava’ is a translation of the term “lahar” in Indonesian and Tagalog.
- Cold lava refers to a cooled mixture of volcanic material and pebbles which flows down the slope of a volcano in the rain.
- This can also include smooth, glassy textures or rough and jagged textures.
- It flows similarly to wet concrete and can travel quickly.
Impact of Cold Lava:
- Travel considerable distances from a volcano’s summit, accumulating additional debris and sediment as it moves rapidly expanding in volume and destructive potential.
- According to the United States Geological Survey, it can crush and bury objects in its path, potentially proving more destructive than conventional lava flows.
About the Philippines:
- The Philippines is an archipelago, or string of over 7,100 islands, in southeastern Asia between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
- Capital: Manila
- The two largest islands, Luzon and Mindanao, make up two-thirds of the total land area.
- Longest river: Cagayan locally referred to as the Rio Grande de Cagayan.
- The Puerto Princesa Underground River is the longest navigable subterranean river in the world.
- Mountain: Mount Apo, the tallest mountain.
- Asian Development Bank headquarters lies in the Philippines.
- The country’s unique geography, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, makes it prone to volcanic activity.
- The Philippines is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions