Essay on Volcanoes

There are different types of volcanoes, such as shield volcanoes, composite volcanoes, and cinder cone volcanoes that are mentioned in Chapter 9, page 312 of Earth Science. (Refer to figure 2 for volcano type examples.)

A volcano is an earth hazard that occurs on faults between tectonic plates on a destructive boundary and an eruption is a natural disaster. A primary impact happens immediately after the disaster and before any response like death or collapsing or destruction of buildings. A secondary impact occurs later after the disaster, such less farm produce or a reduction in tourism. The severity of these impacts will differ considerably in a MEDC and LEDC where volcanic eruptions have taken place. These may be seen in the Mount St. Helen volcano eruption as well as in the Iceland volcanic eruption. They may also

Anpother factor that can have an impact on the level of hazard posed by a volcano is the type of plate margin on which it occurs. Volcanoes occuring at constructive plate boundaries are usually much less violent than those occuring at destructive plate boundaries. This is because the magma produced by plates moving apart is Basic, and therefoe has a low viscosity, allowing it to flow easily. The lava is produced from a central vent or fissure and erupts regularly but not usually violently. Also,constructive plate boundaries are often found under the sea and create submarine volcanoes, such as along the Mid-Atalntic ridge, so pose few threats to humans. As a result, the hazards posed by volcanoes at constructive plat eboundaries is relatively low. However, the subduction of one plate under another at destrctive plat eboundaries can form an acidic magma chamber, due to the build up of intense heat. Acidic magma is very viscous and resisitant to flow, meaning that there is often a huge build up of pressure, which can result in very violent and dangerous eruptions involving ash and pyroclastic flow. This can pose a a serious hazard. Pyroclastic flowsa are extremely dense, containing toxic gases at very high temperatures, and can move at speeds over 100km/h. The consequences of such an unpredictable hazard can be extremely seruous

The volcanoes are located where there is a divergence or convergence in the tectonic plates and bring their lava from the deepest of the terrestrial mantle. The materials and explosions of these ginates represent a constant risk in the places inhabited by the human being, nevertheless the people ususually live in these areas no matter the risk. On the other hand the volcanos can change the geology of an impressive form, or to cool the temperature of the earth, or to darken the sky. The scientific community increases its efforts to try to understand better what happens in volcanoes, however it is impossible to predict these conditions.

Volcanoes are one of the most destructive, yet, most beautiful things on Earth. They can make a famous city choke in its own ashes in one day, like Pompeii. Or they can turn a once damaging mountain into a graceful and peaceful home for new life, like Mount St. Helen’s. All volcanoes are unique, and no two are the same. Some erupt differently than others, some look different than others, and all are located in different spots all over the world. I learned this while completing the project and the five volcanoes I researched are examples of my discoveries. The five volcanoes I researched were Mount Hood, Mount Mageik, Long Island, Mount Muria, and Las Pilas.

Something beautiful can also be dangerous, as like the darkness can have phenomenal results. Volcanoes are one example of nature’s beauty, they can be fascinating, exciting, magnificent, but they can also be catastrophic. Their hazard eruptions put many lives at risk, destroying properties, places, and can disrupt air quality. The list of volcanoes is huge, there are three groups of them, dormant, extinct and active volcanoes. From the latter group there are about 500 in the entire world. Although both Mt. St Helens and Mt Pinatubo are two of the most significant volcanoes in the world, they have some characteristics that show their differences and similarities between both of them.

One physical factor which causes differences in a volcanic hazard is the steepness of the volcano. If the volcanoes sides are of a steep gradient then the

There are over one thousand five hundred volcanoes all around the world, and when they erupt, they spew searing hot lava that changes the surface of the earth. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes are just three examples of the many geo-processes that are constantly shaping and changing the Earth.

Volcanoes are in fact important because without volcanoes the atmosphere wouldn’t have its oxygen rich properties. Many of years ago, Earth’s atmosphere was swarm with rock-forming minerals of the earth 's crust. During earlier volcanic eruptions many gasses enters into the earth atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, water vapor and many other gases

The mythology of the Aztec peoples, which dominated central Mexico in the 1400’s and early 1500’s, described a universe of greatness and fear. In this Mexica civilization, volcanoes had a deep spiritual as well as strategic military importance. The legend of the volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, is no different. The Aztec mythological explanation for the two volcanoes is a story of love and war. In this paper, I will describe the legend behind these two natural locations and its correlation with the spiritual and social importance of volcanoes to the Mexica people at the time.

The active volcano that I chose to research is Popocatepetl volcano. Popocatepetl volcano is an active volcano located in Mexico. The volcano is oftentimes referred to as “El Popo” by many Mexicans. El Popo is a composite cone volcano. Being a composite cone volcano, El Popo is characterized by a steep cone shape, which was created by many composite layers of material pouring out over numerous eruptions. The lava that comes out of El Popo is extremely viscous. The highly viscous lava does not travel very far, and typically cools down rapidly. Scientists believe that El Popo is about 730,000 years old. It has erupted more than 15 times since 1519. In 1994 El Popo produced gas and ash, which caused nearby towns to evacuate. The toxic

While there was so many different volcanos to choose from I chose the Calbuco volcano because it was erupted very recently. Calbuco is a 6,570 foot high active stratovolcano located in Los Lagos, Chile. Its coordinates are 41°19′48″S 72°37′06″W. The closest populated area to the volcano is Puerto Varas which is located about 23.1 miles southwest of the Calbuco volcano as you can see in the google image below.

As the eruption wore on, it later produced a phase with red hot pyroclastic surges and flows, along with other volcanic material. This was referred to as the “Peléan” phase. These type of eruptions are known for the mentioned pyroclastic flows, along with hot mud surges. (Universe today) This phase was speculated to have begun during the latter part of the eruption, and is largely regarded as the main killer of most of the surrounding inhabitants. (Museum timeline)

The word volcano comes from the little island of vulcano in the Mediterranean Sea, these fire fountains can reach hundreds of feet into the sky (Lindop). Early Romans believed this mountain belonged to vulcan, the blacksmith of the gods. Within the last twenty years, a volcanologists have been working hard to learn how to predict eruptions and keep people safe.

In these eruptions, instead of the mixture of gas and ash flowing upwards, it flows outwards and hugs the ground. These eruptions are extremely dangerous.