Sector collapse

A sector collapse or lateral collapse is the structural failure and subsequent collapse of part of a volcano. Unlike a flank collapse, a sector collapse involves the central volcanic pipe.^{[citation needed]} Sector collapses are one of the most hazardous volcanic events,^[2] often resulting in lateral blasts,^[1] landslides,^[3] and changes in volcanic eruptive behavior. Sector collapse can be caused by earthquakes,^[3] volcanic eruptions,^[1] gradual volcanic deformation,^[1] and other processes. Sector collapse events can occur on volcanoes at convergent and divergent plate boundaries.^[1] Sector collapses are generally very sudden; however, some attempts have been made to predict collapse events.