When volcanoes erupt, a large amount of material from the Earth’s interior, including extraordinary amounts of noxious gases like sulfur dioxide, are released into the atmosphere. The ‘smoke’ you see isn’t from combustive ash, however; volcanic ash is fundamentally different. (European Geosciences Union)

‘Volcanic Ash’ Isn’t Actually Ash

Whatever you do, don’t try to wash it away with water.

Every few months, a volcanic eruption occurs on Earth, with lava flows and enormous plumes of volcanic ash.