Volcanoes
Explain the characteristics and spatial distribution of volcanoes using at least two specific examples. [10 marks]
Volcanoes erupt when magma is formed due to the melting of the Earth's upper or lower mantle. Volcanoes act as openings or vents to release the magma that is building up or the dissolved gases that are formed. Three main reasons for the eruption of a volcano would be: new magma being let into an already filled magma chamber, buoyancy of he magma, or pressure from gases from the magma.
Problems that could occur from the eruption of volcanoes would be; soot that is releases with the eruption of the volcano could travel to inhabited areas and cause respiratory problems for people and animals living in the area and it could also cover up vegetation and homes. Magma that is also released from volcanoes could, and will destroy anything in its path and this could lead to the loss of lives, homes and the destruction of the ecosystem in the area.
Volcanoes are mostly located along hot spots, divergent plate boundaries, and convergent plate boundaries. The biggest grouping of volcanoes are located in the ring of fire which can be found around the Pacific Ocean. The Philippines; a country located within the Ring of Fire has seen two devastating volcanic eruptions; Mount Mayon, and Mount Pinatubo. Mount Mayon erupted on July 14, 2006 creating clouds of soot and magma flowing down the sides of the volcano. 40,000 people were evacuated due to the eruption but there were no recorded deaths from the eruption itself but thousands were said to be killed due to the lahar formed by Typhoon Durian.
The eruption of Mount Pinatubo occurred in 1991 and claimed the lives of three thousand men and women. The eruption was devastating leaving soot laying all over the ground surrounding the volcano and even building up so much that it caused some houses to collapse under the weight. I have been to Mount Pinatubo and have seen the soot that lays there. The soot covered ground goes on for miles and miles. The eruption also released millions of tons of Sulfur Dioxide which was spread around the world through wind currents. This toxic gas dropped the temperature of the planet by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
- Andres Calma
