Effects of Volcanic Eruptions

Key Concept: The affects of

volcanic eruptions can change
human and wildlife habitat.

Negative Effects of Volcanic

Eruptions
Volcanic explosions can
have local and global
effects.
In April 1815, Tambora
volcano in Indonesia
erupted explosively.
The pyroclastic flows and
falling debris killed about
10,000 people in the
area.

Crater

 High in the atmosphere,

ash and gas spread
around Earth.
The average global
temperature decreased
by as much as 3C for
one to two years.
The lower temperature
caused crop failures and
starvation, particularly in
New England and
Europe.

 The effects of lower

temperatures led to
the deaths of about
82,000 people.
Therefore, an
estimated total of
92,000 people around
the world lost their
lives as a result of the
Tambora eruption.

Local Affects of Volcanic Eruptions

Volcanic eruptions
can cause loss of
human life and loss of
wildlife habitat.
The blast from an
explosive eruption
can knock down
trees, destroy
buildings, and kill
humans and animals.

 Pyroclastic flows can burn everything in their

path.
Hot volcanic materials can melt the snowcap on
a mountain, causing devastating floods.

 Volcanic ash can mix

with water to form
fast-moving mudflows
called lahars.
The weight of falling
ash can collapse
structures, bury
crops, and damage
engines.
Volcanic ash can also
cause respiratory
problems in humans.

Global Effects of Volcanic

Eruptions
Large volcanic eruptions can affect Earths
climate for several years.
During large eruptions, ash and sulfur-rich
gases can be pushed into the
stratosphere.
As the ash and gases spread around the
planet, they absorb and scatter sunlight.

 Enough sunlight may be absorbed or scattered

to lower the average global temperature of
Earth.
In 1991, after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in
the Philippines, the amount of sunlight to reach
Earths surface decreased by 2-4%.
This decrease caused the average global
temperature of Earth to decrease by several
tenths of a degree for several years.

Benefits of Volcanic Eruptions

Volcanic soils are some of the most fertile
soils on Earth.
Volcanic rocks are made of minerals that
contain elements important to plant
growth.
When volcanic rocks break down, they
form soils that contain many nutrients that
plants can use.

Geothermal Energy
Magma heats the rocks
that surround it.
These rocks often hold
water that also becomes
heated.
This heated water, called
geothermal water, may
reach temperatures of
hundreds of degrees
Celcius.

 Geothermal water
contains large amounts
of heat energy.
This energy can be
tapped by drilling wells
to reach the hot water.
Water can also be
pumped through heated
rocks to obtain energy.

 Geothermal water can

be used to drive
turbines that generate
electricity.
It can also be used to
heat homes, grow
crops, or keep roads
free of ice.

 Volcanic rocks are often used in construction.

As early as 300 BCE, Romans made
concrete from volcanic ash and lime.
This material was used to build the
Colosseum in Rome in 80 CE. The strength
of this material has allowed the Colosseum to
stand for nearly two thousand years.

 As recently as the 20th century, volcanic ash was used to

make concrete for dams in the United States.
Today, basalt and pumice are often used in the
construction of roads and bridges, and the production of
concrete.

 Pumice is added to soil to allow air and

water to circulate more easily through the
soil.
Because metals in pumice are not water
soluble, pumice is used alone or with silica
sand to filter drinking water.

 Use these term to fill

in concept map.
eruptions
shield volcanoes
cinder cone volcanoes
composite volcanoes
lava