Which catastrophic outcome occurs when a lava dome's instability nears collapse on a steep slope?

💡 Explanation

Pyroclastic flow initiation results because gravitational forces overcome friction on the unstable dome; viscous magma experiences gravitational collapse, therefore producing a rapidly propagating density current rather than a slow lava flow, or water flow (lahar).

• Which process initiates headwall erosion resulting to expansion of mountain cirques?
• Which erosion dominates when seasonal wave energy intensifies at coastal headlands?
• Near active stratovolcanoes, which consequence results when pyroclastic flows encounter a large body of water?
• Which landform develops where strike-slip plate motion predominates?
• Which effect on trade winds arises when air transitions between Hadley and Ferrel cells?
• Which outcome accelerates when intense rainfall limits bioturbation?