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Table of Contents
 Plan of Investigation

The topic for my English SBA is, “The Advantages and Disadvantages of Volcanic Eruptions”.
I plan on investigating how volcanic eruptions affect human lives, livelihoods and the
environment. I became fascinated by this topic after learning about the positive and negative
effects of volcanic eruptions. The sub-topic in which I found to be quite intriguing was due to the
fact that volcanoes have surprisingly more advantages than disadvantages when considering the
amount of damage it can create.

In order to successfully complete this investigation, the following three pieces of material are
intended to be collected are online articles, poetries and news broadcasts. In completing this SBA
it will help to gradually improve my reading comprehension and writing skills for future
assignments.
Stimuli 1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zpf9mnb/revision/6

Benefits of living by a volcano

People choose to live in volcanic areas despite the risks of an eruption. Volcanoes can provide people
with many benefits such as:

Volcanic rock and ash provide fertile land which results in a higher crop yield for farmers
tourists are attracted to the volcano, which increases money to the local economy
geothermal energy can be harnessed, which provides cheaper electricity for locals
minerals are contained in lava, eg diamonds - these can be mined to make money
Volcanoes have a large effect on their locality. They produce ash, lava, volcanic bombs, pyroclastic flows
and lahars. Ash from large volcanoes has been known to affect global climates.

The positive and negative effects of volcano eruptions

Volcanoes have a large effect on their locality. They produce ash, lava, volcanic bombs, pyroclastic
flows and lahars. Ash from large volcanoes has been known to affect global climates. The effects of
volcanoes can be both positive and negative.

Positive effects
Geothermal energy is when heat from within the Earth is used to generate electricity. Geothermal energy
can be generated in areas where magma lies close to the surface. This is good for increasing renewable
energy use.
Ash ejected by the volcano acts as a good fertilizer for soils.
Volcanoes attract many tourists, who enjoy the dramatic scenery that they produce.

Negative effects
Volcanoes are dangerous. They can kill people and damage property.
Economic activity can suffer as it is hard for businesses to operate after an eruption.
Habitats and landscapes are damaged by lava flows.
Stimuli 2

Volcano Poems | Discover Poetry

The Heart of Fire by Walter Kemper Bocock

Spoke the Volcano:

"The curse is upon me!

Once I was glorious,

Bathed in the sunlight;

Storms were below me;

Peaceful my summit.

Thousands ascended,

Craving the vision

Which I could show them.

Millions admired me,

On their horizon.

"Now the foundations

Tremble below me.

Earth is unsettled;

Hell's fiends are raging

Penned in my bosom.

Heaven is hidden by
Terrible darkness.

There is no firmament;

Day is abolished.

Midnight is starless,

Save when the tempest

Bursts from Inferno,

Showering the world with

Firebrands and lava,

All of my verdure

—Flowers and forests—

Burning to blackness;

Leaving me hideous,

Desolate, barren!"

Slept the volcano

Ages and ages. Sunshine was bathing

All of his landscapes. Higher his summit;

Precious the metals Mined from his bosom;

Green were the forests, Fair were the flowers,

Healthgiving waters Flowed from his fountains.

Said the Great Spirit: "Heaven surrounds thee!

Hell that o'erwhelmed thee Was of thy making.

Stimuli 3

https://youtu.be/9PebXI1S2FE
 Reflection 1

The article, “The Positive and Negative Effects of Volcano Eruptions” and “The Benefits
of Living by a Volcano” (British Broadcasting Corporation, 2022) was based on the effects
of volcanoes that can be both a devastation or an improvement to the environment and
humans. Therefore, it has become extremely important to protect these areas to prevent
further damage and to initiate new growth. With that in mind, I realized that human beings
can provide help to others by residing near a volcano. Thus, making the preservation and
conservation of volcanoes salient.

In the poem, “The Heart of Fire” by (Walter Kemper Bocock, 2022) it talks about the
beauty, disaster and aftermath of volcanic eruptions. Upon collecting this knowledge I now
have a better understanding of why we should avoid creating destruction and protecting
the environment due to its consequences. In doing so, we can provide future generations a
chance to learn and improve the world.

The news report I chose to elucidate was the fact that we need to improve on how we
treat our environment and ecosystems, in order to prevent further harm to the animals and
their habitats. My understanding of volcanoes changed after conducting this research. It
has shown me that the environment is in jeopardy due to the harmful destruction of
human-kind.

Reflection 2
 In the first piece of data, the writer of the article employed factual information to inform
of how volcanoes are particularly advantageous and disadvantageous to the environment
and human livelihoods, explaining in a formal and very brief explanation of the examples.
For instance, “Volcanoes are dangerous.” This was efficient due to the brief and simple
explanatory information on volcanic eruptions.

In the second piece of data, the dominant technique used was personification and
imagery. The writer chose to personify the volcano to emphasize the destruction of the
natural disaster while showing the aftermath from a different perspective instead of the
impact on human livelihoods. The visual imagery was then used to give another
description of the damage caused by the volcanic eruption to the environment. For
example, “Green were the forests, Fair were the flowers.” This was effective since it
provides a detailed description of the forest in which the volcano is located.

In the news report, the language used was in a formal and conversational tone informing
of the information on the active mud volcano located in Trinidad. During the broadcast,
the geoscientist, interviewed, enlightened viewers that the volcano was significantly
dangerous to be near to, and continued to explain the effects of a possible eruption. This
was successful because it explained the disadvantages of volcanic eruptions and the mental
and physical effect it had on individuals.

Reflection 3
 In the completion of this SBA, I acquired more knowledge and had an improved
understanding on the topic, “Natural Disasters.” The sub-topic I received fascinated me as
it provided me an opportunity to increase my research and analysis skills.

This School Based Assignment had a very positive impact on my life in a number of
aspects. One such was the improvement in my teamwork skills. Before completing this
investigation, I refrained from participating in groups due to my reserved nature, however,
I have learnt to become more trusting and cooperative with others. Another major
development I obtained was my enhanced understanding of the advantages and
disadvantages of volcanic eruptions. After conducting this research I gained a new insight
on the matter of volcanoes than I did previously. After self observing, I mastered to
sustain a better time management schedule along with a vast advancement in my reading
comprehension and writing skills, which could possibly help with my future assignments
and optional job opportunities.

I have come to the realization that this research has definitely made a significant change
in my life and mindset. I also now recognize the minor improvements in my daily routines,
school assignments and individual self.

Group Report
 What can be done to decrease the number of natural disasters occurring? Are there people to
blame for this major problem? These were some relevant questions that entered our minds before
conducting this research. Therefore, our group decided to investigate the topic, “Natural
Disasters,” introduced by our teacher during an online session. We created the group based on
these sub-topics: “The Effects of Flooding on Trinidadian Farmers,” “How Climate Change
Affects Flooding,” “The Causes and Effects of Tsunamis,” “The Advantages and Disadvantages
of Volcanic Eruptions” and “The Impact of Climate Change on the Caribbean.”

After two meetings, our group settled on the three best texts, ‘Five Things You Should Know
About Climate Change In The Caribbean’ (Link 1), 'The Heart of Fire,’ by Walter Kemper
Bocock (Link 2) and ‘What Is A Tsunami? by Vedantu (Link 3). We selected these texts since
they were best suited to represent the impact of natural disasters in a detailed format.
Additionally, they were applied to raise awareness of the intensity of these disasters.

From the video, we concluded that human activities contribute to countless natural disasters
resulting in global temperature change. We believe planting crops, capable of surviving extreme
circumstances and using alternative energy sources, can positively reduce climate change. The
author of the poem showed that volcanic eruptions are extremely destructive. Consequently,
more consideration and care is needed to prevent harm to the surroundings and livelihoods. The
writer of the article elaborated on the aftermath of tsunamis. To avoid loss of different lifeforms,
individuals should be aware of the warnings and remain far from the imminent problem.

However, there were some inconveniences that occurred during this investigation. One such
problem was no contribution made from group members. Another issue was deciding on a
scheduled time for participants to meet.

In summary, our group performed meticulously throughout the research concluded. The
collaboration of teamwork and accuracy allowed us to successfully share our views on the
foremost topic.