Volcanoes

VOLCANOES

2005 Volcanoes

Introduction

The general image of Volcanoes is negative . Movies such as Dante 's Peak and Volcano have subconsciously created a terrifying picture of living around volcanoes . Some people avoid living around mountains even if the mountains have been declared dormant or dead . It is true that the science of volcanology is a complex science and most of the conclusions are based on a chain of environmental judgment . Nevertheless , if we pay attention to our science teacher in junior high school , then we would realize that volcanic eruption

is just a part of nature 's periodical activities . The process has benefits and disadvantages for the surrounding environment I .1 What is a Volcano

Volcanoes are mountains . The difference is that , unlike mountains which is a result of land erosion or tectonic activities like folding crumpling and uplift , volcanoes are built by volcanic activities . In simple terms , volcanic activities can be described as the movement of lava underneath the surface of the earth . From time to time , the lava which constantly burns within the inner layers of our planet , demands an opening that allows it to reduce internal pressures beneath the earth . A volcano is a potential opening or a vent connected to the flow of lava that would allow the increasing tension beneath the earth to come out ( What is a Volcano ? 2005 I .2 How Does Volcanic Eruptions Work

There are many assumption made by ancient societies about volcanic eruptions before the presence of science . In Polynesia , Pele was the name of a beautiful Polynesian Goddess of volcanoes . Polynesians believe that the eruptive activities of volcanoes are the result of Pele 's anger and hatred . The Romans on the other hand , believes that volcano is the chimney of Vulcan , Blacksmith of the Roman gods . The actual explanation is a lot simpler . As the chambers of magma -hot molten rocks- remained sealed for hundreds of years , the pressure build-up significantly . Gas and magma travel within `veins ' beneath the earth to find the weakest layer for an opening . After the pressure build-up sufficiently , the volcano erupts , letting out massive amount of gasses , dusts , rocks and lava (Britt , 2005

Within this , we are discussing the environmental effect of a volcanic eruption toward its surrounding environment . The discussion would both cover the positive and negative perspectives of the phenomena Environmental Effect of Volcanoes

The effect of a volcanic eruption is very powerful to the surrounding society and even the international community . Because of the vast and strong impact , various branches of science study the effect of a volcanic eruption . In this , we are discussing the effect of a volcanic eruption according to three aspects . First , we are discussing the short and long-term effect of a volcanic eruption to the surrounding soil or land-mass . Second , we are discussing the effect of volcanic eruptions to the surrounding weather or atmosphere . The third , we are discussing the overall impact of volcanic eruptions to various aspects of human lives II .1 Effect on...