Mt Pelee

On May 8 1902, Mt Pelee in Martinique in the Carribean spits out a terrifying Nuées ardentes a burning 400 degree cloud of ash, gas and rock travelling down the slope at 200 kms per hour. Nuées ardentes were discovered during this eruption of Mount Pelée. They are often the biggest killers in the volcanic repertoire. Visit the Volcanoes gallery at Auckland Museum, open daily from 10am-5pm or see