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Can volcanoes detonate like high explosives? Did Tonga detonate?
- simonblack 5y agoAnything can be explosive if it causes a pressure release beyond the capability of its container to hold it. If you can prevent that pressure release in some way, that pressure will build and build until it exceeds the capability of the restraining container. Then it's a case of 'duck and cover'. The pressure producer does not need to be anything explosive in its own right. Even a simple build-up of compressed air will eventuate an explosion. In many volcanoes the explosive factor is very often just the simple thing of water in contact with hot lava and producing steam pressure.