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Volcanic eruption explained - Steven Anderson

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In February of 1942, Mexican farmer Dionisio Pulido thought he heard thunder coming from his cornfield. However, the sound wasn’t coming from the sky. The source was a large, smoking crack emitting gas and ejecting rocks, and would come to be known as the volcano Paricutin. Where do new volcanoes like this come from, and what triggers their unpredictable eruption? Steven Anderson investigates.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Steven Anderson
  • Director Odirlei Seixas, Felipe Grosso, Fábio Vianna (In Memorian)
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Storyboard Artist Felipe Grosso
  • Animator Sarah Zattar, Kelvin Lima, Renato Nogueira Cavalher
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by TED-Ed

Understanding why a volcano erupts is obviously important since that information can help keep people safe. However, it is also very difficult for volcanologists to figure out what makes a volcano stop erupting (it is not because it “runs out” of magma!). Using your understanding of the conditions necessary for creating a volcanic eruption (Magmastatic pressure > lithostatic pressure + rock strength) can you think of reasons why a volcanic eruption might stop?

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Avatar for Harper McDonald
Lesson completed

Becasue evantly the pressure stops.


Avatar for Carson Doudrick
Lesson in progress

It will stop because of the amount of pressure there is.


Avatar for Caden Buhman
Lesson in progress

i think it might stop because when it burst it has lots of preasure but it will eventuly lose the presure needed to explode.



Avatar for Gerald Gosselin
Lesson completed

I think it might stop since it has released enough pressure and returns to its original state, but with less pressure because some of it has been released in the eruption.


Avatar for Harry Connerty
Lesson completed

I can think of reasons why a volcanic eruption might stop because it is not strong enough to be very powerful.


Avatar for Oliver Syska
Lesson completed

UM..... i am stupid so idk ima just geuss and stuff.......... uh maybe like stuff covers it or something?????????? like i said idk I just copyied someone else..... uh yah idk.....


Avatar for Thomas Perreyon
Lesson completed

After a volcanic eruption, the excess pressure between the magmastatic pressure and the lithostatic pressure would return to its initial state, a much lower pressure. It can be deduced that there will be a period when the rash could subside and even stop.


Avatar for Charles MB
Lesson completed

A volcanic eruption stops because all the trapped volatile gases have been released into the atmosphere. Without these gases, the density of the magma drops and thus lowers the pressure. The ambiant temperature also allows the magma to cool, making it no longer buoyant.


Avatar for Franklin Henry
Lesson completed

stay indoors close windows and doors.

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