Peléean eruption

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Peléean eruption A very violent type of volcanic activity characterized by the release of nuées ardentes (glowing clouds of gas-fluidized material). Highly viscous lavas are typically involved and the eruptions may be preceded by the growth of a lava dome. Nuées ardentes may be formed by the explosive disruption of a growing dome, or by mechanical collapse of a dome growing on a steep slope. See VOLCANO. Compare HAWAIIAN ERUPTION; PLINIAN ERUPTION; STROMBOLIAN ERUPTION; VESUVIAN ERUPTION; and VULCANIAN ERUPTION.