Activity 6

The advantages of volcanoes are a great part of nature that can destroy anything and everything once it
erupts. However, it still has its advantages and residential areas can be established away (more than
10km) from active volcanoes to avoid human threats. Volcanoes help to create fertile land for us. The
volcanic soil is highly fertile and productive for plants. This is because the lava and ash of volcanoes are
enriched with minerals. Once released, they are taken up by the soil helping in plant growth. Volcanic soil
has greater water retention compared to normal soil and contains a high level of phosphorous which is
vital in plant growth. Collectively these factors make the volcanic soil more fertile, requiring less
fertilizer and producing a higher yield. Volcanoes are not always a threat to the people, if they’re living in
the ‘low-risk zone’ about 10km from it. Countries such as Japan, Italy, the Philippines, and Indonesia
have people living in close proximity to volcanoes. However, they use this to their advantage as the soil
there is enriched with nutrients and minerals. A glaring example of a town in a ‘low-risk zone’ from a
volcano would be the city of Seattle. It can provide a refuge for plants and animals due to their steep
inclination. This helps plants to find refuge in areas where humans have developed land nearby
volcanoes. It is now thought that volcanoes may have provided refuge for plants and animals after the Ice
Age as well. The lava from volcanoes is constantly a source of providing and adding new land. Currently,
active volcanoes around the world include Mount Unzen in Japan, Etna Volcano in Italy, Maunaloa, and
Kilauea in Hawaii. Before humans started burning massive amounts of fossil fuels and were exceeding
the planet’s carbon limits, volcanoes played a pivotal role in contributing carbon dioxide to the
atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is one of the major reactants required by plants to carry out photosynthesis.
Volcanoes can be a source of providing carbon balance to our planet. They may also help in keeping our
planet warm and preventing it from freezing. Volcanoes help in providing the planet with water, one of
the major resources that are required by our planet which is rapidly deteriorating. In fact, about 75-95% of
gases emitted upon eruption of a volcano are water vapor. Contribute a large number of sulfur dioxide
levels to the earth. Sulfur is the third most abundant mineral in the human body. It helps to build proteins
in humans as well as various other organisms. Sulfur dioxide emitted from the volcanoes is preventing
global temperatures from rising too high, slowing down the 25% global warming potential of greenhouse
gases from 2000-to 2010.
Disadvantages of Volcanoes are associated with wide-scale destruction if large volcanic eruptions take
place. The lava from these eruptions may flow into the city causing massive infrastructure damage and
deaths. Many people have even suffered deaths due to volcanic blasts. This may lead to people being
homeless, requiring aid and assistance for their survival. People may choose not to live near volcanoes as
there is a constant fear of volcanoes erupting anytime. Therefore the area around the volcano may be
devoid of humans, even if it is highly fertile and people want to develop it. Volcanoes produce various
gases. These gases are quite harmful if inhaled by humans, leading to various respiratory diseases of the
lungs such as asthma. These gases, even at low levels, may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat
and at higher levels can cause tachypnea, dizziness, swelling, headache as well as suffocation. Volcanic
ash is also associated with various respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD and emphysema. Silica,
a part of the volcanic ash, causes silicosis if there is prolonged exposure. Although volcanoes act as
carbon cycle regulators, carbon dioxide gas is a major cause of the greenhouse effect which aggravates
global warming. This has led to various changes in the weather patterns around the region of volcanoes.
Wildlife has been affected as well. Volcanoes have caused habitat loss of various animals, causing them
to look for new habitats in order to survive. However, some may become fragmented due to difficulty in
finding new habitats and eventually get endangered. Just like humans, animals also fall victim to volcanic
lava and blast directly, leading to their death.
Reflection
I understand that according to OSU Volacanes have done wonderful things for the earth. They helped
cool off the earth removing heat from its interior. Volcanic emissions have produced the atmosphere and
the water of the oceans. Volcanoes make islands and add to the continent. These things are some of the
advantages of volcanoes, but the volcanic eruption is often associated with negative effects. It can cause
loss of lives and properties. To give an example an the negative and positive effects of volcanic eruption,
Lets