The Pelean eruption type is geographically significant for producing pyroclastic flows, also known as Nuée Ardente (glowing clouds). These occur when highly viscous magma blocks the vent, leading to a build-up of gas that eventually explodes laterally. These high-speed, incandescent avalanches of hot ash and gas are the most destructive and lethal of all volcanic phenomena. ANSWER: (B) Deadly pyroclastic flows (Nuée Ardente)
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Pelean eruptions are the most violent category in volcanic geography, named after the 1902 disaster of Mount Pelée. They are characterized by extremely thick, silica-rich magma that creates lava domes. When these domes collapse or are blasted apart, they release a Nuée Ardente—a dense, turbulent cloud of hot gas and volcanic fragments. These flows can travel at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, destroying everything in their path. Unlike vertical ash columns, Pelean eruptions often involve lateral blasts, making them a primary concern for disaster management in densely populated volcanic regions near subduction zones.