09. Benefits and Risks living near volcanoes
Investigate the benefits and risks of living near a volcanic area of your choice.
Use Google Earth to study a volcanic area.
Gather data on the types of activities that take place around the area.
Use the following questions to help in your investigation:
Complete the following written assignment as homework:
‘The benefits of living near volcanic areas outweigh the risks.’ Do you agree with the statement? Explain your answer.
Benefits
Lava and ash break down to form fertile volcanic soil which encourage cultivation e.g. volcanic soils support cultivation of tea, coffee and rice in Java and Bali in Indonesia
Precious stones, minerals can be mined near volcanoes e.g. Kimberley in South Africa for diamond.
Volcanic rocks for building materials and production of other daily items e.g. sulphur used to make matches and fertilisers in East Java, Indonesia
Benefits from job related to development of tourism in volcanic area e.g. ruins of Pompeii in Italy destroyed by Mt Vesuvius in AD79 attracts almost 3 million people every year.
Attractions of the ruin of Pompeii
Tourists attracted by the crater of Mt Bromo, Indonesia.
The hot water or steam formed when groundwater comes into contact with hot rocks beneath the surface can be harnessed to drive turbines and produce electricity. e.g. 70% of Iceland's electricity generated from geothermal power.
Look at the video below which shows the 5 deadliest volcanoes in history. Reflect on the risks from volcanic eruptions.
Risks:
Destruction by volcanic materials e.g. lava, rock fragments or volcanic bombs. e.g. ongoing eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii since 1983 has destroyed many homes and highways
Landslides, lahar . e.g. lahar destroyed town of Armero and killed more than 20,000 people when Nevado del Ruiz in South America erupted in 1985
Pollution -Ash Particles ejected during a volcanic eruption block sunlight, suffocate crops, lead to severe respiratory problems for people and animals. It is also a hazard to aircraft e.g. Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland erupted in 2010 resulted in closure of air space over much of Europe and cost the airline industry a loss of US$1.8 billion
The eruption of the volcano on White island, New Zealand resulted in the deaths of 16 and 26 severely injured , mainly tourists.
Visit the link below for a 360 degree view of the volcano and what happened.
Dive into this volcano virtually.
https://www.ge.com/digitalvolcano/
Download this interactive game making strategic decisions to minimize risk in communities exposed to volcanic hazards.