Tectonics GW 2 Slides (Part 2)
- 1. Landforms at Different Plate Boundaries (C) Volcanoes: Risks i. Massive destruction by volcanic materials ii. Landslides iii. Pollution iv. Effects on weather
- 2. Massive destruction by volcanic materials • Pyroclasts (ash, rock fragments & volcanic bombs) can damage property • Lava (500°C to 1,400°C) can burn the areas that it flow through • Low-silica lava moves rapidly & flows over long distances can cause damage to larger areas • Inhaling hot ash and gases can result in serious injury/death
- 3. • Due to structural collapse of a volcanic cone during volcanic eruption • Can obstruct flow of rivers causing floods, blocked roads. • Can bury villages and farmlands Landslides
- 4. • Thick plumes of ash can eventually settle on the ground / block sunlight and suffocate crops • Can cause severe respiratory problems for people & animals • Release of gases (e.g. CO2, SO2,H2 and CO) is harmful to people • Volcanic ash clouds containing tiny particles of glass, sand & rock can pose serious danger to aircraft and engines. Pollution
- 5. • Far reaching effects of ejected ash particles • Eruption at one location can affect many other regions • E.g. Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland in 2010 Pollution
- 6. • Fine ash particles carried by wind over thousands of kilometers • Can impact areas further away from eruption source • Temporary lowering of global temperatures • E.g. Mt Pinatubo, Philippines, 1991 Effects on weather
- 7. Landforms at Different Plate Boundaries (C) Volcanoes: Benefits i. Fertile soil ii. Precious stones & minerals iii. Tourism iv. Geothermal energy
- 8. • Lava and ash from volcanic eruptions break down to form fertile volcanic soils • Favourable to agriculture • E.g. cultivation of tea, coffee & rice in Java & Bali, Indonesia Fertile soil
- 9. • Precious stones & minerals can be extracted from volcanic areas after millions of years • E.g. diamonds (e.g. at Kimberley in South Africa) Precious stones and minerals
- 10. • Many people visit volcanoes to hike and camp in the area/enjoy the scenery • Volcanic areas are rich in history & people can visit these areas to learn more about them. • E.g. the ruins of Pompeii, Italy (Mount Vesuvius in erupted 79CE) Pompeii before eruption Tourism Pompeii today
- 11. Geothermal energy • Derived from the heat in the earth’s crust • When groundwater comes in contact with hot rocks beneath the surface, it heats up and erupts as hot water/steam • Hot water/steam can then be harnessed to drive turbines to produce electricity • E.g. in Iceland – homes are heated by volcanic steam