Volcano

A volcano is a natural opening in the surface of the Earth where molten rocks, hot gases, smoke, and ash are ejected.

Volcanoes are classified according to:

a. record of eruption – as active or inactive
active volcano– a volcano that has erupted within the last 600 years and are documented by man or those that
erupted 10, 000 years ago based on analyses of datable materials.
inactive volcano– a volcano that has no record of eruption

b. shape of volcanic cone – as shield, cinder, or composite

shield cone - formed by accumulation of lava resulting in a broad, slightly domed structure that resembles a
warrior’s shield
cinder cone – characterized by narrow base and steep slope crater- a funnel-shaped depression at the top of a
volcano formed as a result of explosive eruptions . Built from ejected lava fragments. They have a steep
slope, wide crater and are the most abundant of the three major volcano types
composite cone – formed from alternate solidification of lava and cinders characterized by large and symmetrical
slope. Also known as stratovolcanoes are large, nearly perfect sloped structure formed from alternate
solidification of both lava and pyroclastic deposits

A volcano usually has a summit (peak or highest point), slope (degree of slant; inclination), and base. At the summit, there
is an opening which may either be a crater or a caldera. A crater is a funnel-shaped opening at the top of a volcano while
a caldera is formed when a part of the wall collapses following an explosive eruption.

The shape of volcanic cone depends on three factors, namely:

a. composition of magma
b. temperature of magma
c. amount of gas

Magma inside the volcano has high temperature. As the magma is continuously heated, it goes up. As it rises, gas bubbles
are developed. The gas bubbles are trapped and expand causing the molten material to swell also, resulting in a gradual
increase in pressure within the volcano. When the pressure exceeds the strength of the overlying rock, fracturing occurs.
The resulting breaks lead to a further drop in confining pressure, which in turn causes even more gas bubbles to form.

Lavas differ in their rate of flow due to their viscosity (the resistance to flow). More viscous lava flows slower than the less
viscous ones. Bubbles move slowly in a more viscous liquid such as in syrup. Relating this observation with magma it can
be said that magma with a large amount of gas is less viscous than that of magma with less amount of gas.
Lava may appear to be the primary material ejected from a volcano, but this is not always the case. Aside from lava,
broken rocks, lava bombs, fine ash and dust are also ejected.

Primary factors affecting the volcanoes’ eruptive style, namely:

a. the magma’s temperature
b. its chemical composition
c. the amount of dissolved gases it contains.
These factors can affect the magma’s viscosity in different ways. Viscosity is the property of the material’s resistance to
flow. It is also described as the liquid’s thickness and stickiness. The more viscous and thicker the material is, the greater
is its resistance to flow. For instance, syrup is more viscous than water.
 Viscosity of magma in different conditions

Types of volcanic eruptions

Volcanoes erupt differently. They are generally classified as wet or dry depending on the magma’s water content.
Volcanoes are described according to the style of eruption as follows:
a. Phreatic or hydrothermal – is a stream-driven eruption as the hot rocks come in contact with water. It is shortlived,
characterized by ash columns but may be an onset of a larger eruption.
b. Phreatomagmatic – is a violent eruption due to the contact between water and magma. As a result, a large column
of very fine ash and high-speed and sideway emission of pyroclastics called base surges are observed.
c. Strombolian - a periodic weak to violent eruption characterized by fountain lava, just like the Irazu Volcano in Costa
Rica.
d. Vulcanian – characterized by tall eruption columns that reach up to 20 km high with pyroclastic flow and ashfall
tephra like that of Paricutin Volcano in Mexico.
e. Plinian – excessively explosive type of eruption of gas and pyroclastics, just like our Pinatubo Volcano in Zambales

Energy from the volcano

Since our country is a home to more than a hundred volcanoes, energy has been tapped from them. Actually, the
Philippines ranks second in the world’s production of geothermal energy. According to the Department of Energy, 14.4%
of the country’s total power generation is produced from geothermal energy. The production of electricity from
geothermal energy is cheaper than the electricity production using natural gas, coal, and hydropower.

What is geothermal energy?

The Earth is believed to be extremely hot from within. This heat from the Earth’s interior is a source of energy
called geothermal energy. The heat of the Earth warms up water which is trapped in rock formations beneath its surface.

How is geothermal energy generated?

Geothermal energy is generated in two ways: geothermal power plants and geothermal heat pumps. They differ
in the depth of heat source to produce energy.
In geothermal power plants, the heat from deep inside the Earth is used to produce steam to generate electricity
compared with geothermal heat pumps that use the heat coming from close to the Earth’s surface to heat water or provide
heat for buildings.
 In the Philippines, geothermal power plants are used to generate electricity in Tiwi (Albay), Kidapawan (North
Cotabato), Calaca (Laguna), Tongonan (Leyte), Bago City (Negros Occidental), Valencia (Negros Oriental), and Bacon
(Sorsogon). The figure 14 below shows the Mak-Ban Geothermal Power Plant in Laguna.

How do volcanic eruptions affect society?

Volcanic eruption is often associated with negative effects. It can cause loss of lives and properties. As the lava
flows or pyroclastic materials are ejected in the air, they can destroy anything in their way. Actually, it has a good and a
bad side. For example, the eruption of Pinatubo in 1991, one ofthe longest volcanic eruptions, has caused the decrease in
the Earth’s surface temperature foralmost two years. The strong winds during its eruption spread the aerosol particles
from the plume around the globe. The result was a measurable cooling of the Earth’s surface for a period of almost two
years.

Volcanoes also affect people positively. For example, the eruption of Pinatubo Volcano has created spectacular
scenery in its wake. Likewise, the eruption of Musuan Volcano in Bukidnon has produced very rich soils for farmingyears
after its eruption in 1867. People became creative also by making earthenware out of the ashfall from the Pinatubo
Volcano eruption.

Signs of an impending volcanic eruption

1. Increase in the frequency of volcanic quakes with rumbling sounds; occurrence of volcanic tremors;
2. Increased steaming activity; change in color of steam emission from white to gray due to entrained ash;
3. Crater glow due to presence of magma at or near the crater;
4. Ground swells (or inflation), ground tilt and ground fissuring due to magma intrusion;
5. Localized landslides, rockfalls and landslides from the summit area which not attributable to heavy rains;
6. Noticeable increase in the extent of drying up of vegetation around the volcano's upper slopes;
7. Increase in the temperature of hot springs, wells (e.g., Bulusan and Canlaon) and crater lake (e.g., Taal) near the volcano;
8. Noticeable variation in the chemical content of springs, crater lakes within the vicinity of the volcano;
9. Drying up of springs/wells around the volcano; and,
10. Development of new thermal areas and/or reactivation of old ones; appearance of solfataras.