is an opening in Earth’s crust where lava, pyroclasts, and gases are
ejected onto the surface during eruptions. PARTS OF A VOLCANO KINDS OF VOLCANOES ACCORDING TO SHAPE AND COMPOSITION OF THE CONE SHIELD CONE has a wide base with gently sloping sides. The cone is made up of purely of lava that has poured out and solidified during a mild or quiet eruption. Ex. Mauna Kea and Kilauea volcanoes in Hawaiian Islands, Olympus Mons found in Mars CINDER CONE is built almost entirely of loose fragments called cinders (pyroclasts and tephra). A cinder cone volcano is formed by explosive eruptions. Explosive eruptions eject lava and rocks into the air. The lava fragments solidify into small pieces of pyroclasts called tephra. Cinder cone has a narrow base and very steep slope. Cinder cone volcanoes are usually small (less than 300 meters high) since the oyroclasts that compose the cone can easily be eroded. Furthermore, a cinder cone volcano has bowl-shaped craters at their summit. Ex. Sunset Crater in Northern Arizona, USA; Mt. Paricutin in Mexico; and Mt. Pelee in the East Indies. COMPOSITE/STRATOVOLCANO are composed of alternating layers of lava and cinders (pyroclasts). They are formed when volcanic eruptions vary between quiet and violent or explosive. During explosive eruptions, a huge volume of gases, ashes, and pyroclasts are ejected. When the eruption switches to a quieter period, a huge amount of lava is extruded over the top of the pyroclastic layer. Ex. Mt. Fuji in Japan, Mt. Vesuvius and Mt. Stromboli in Italy, and Mt. Mayon in the Philippines. ACCORDING TO ACTIVITY ACTIVE VOLCANO A volcano is considered active if it is currently erupting or showing regular signs of activity like earthquake activities and significant gas emissions. An active volcano has a record of eruption within 50 years. Kilauea, located in Hawaii, is the world’s most active volcano. Mt. Mayon, Mt. Kanlaon, and Mt. Taal are some active volcanoes in the Philippines. DORMANT VOLCANO are those that have currently erupted and then have entered a long period of inactivity. Seismologist have found out that the longer period of dormancy or inactivity between volcanic eruptions, the greater the chance of having a very explosive eruption in the future. Volcanoes that have not erupted for decades or centuries may cause the greatest volcanic threat to people and their surrounding areas. Ex. Mt. Saint Helens erupted in May 1980 after being dormant for 123 years, and Mt. Pinatubo erupted explosively in June 1991 after being dormant for about 600 years. EXTINCT VOLCANO are those that have not shown signs of activity for a long period of time. It has no record of volcanic eruptions in the past thousand years. TYPES of VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS EXPLOSIVE/VIOLENT ERUPTION the lava ejected is torn into shreds, forming pieces of pyroclastic materials called tephra. Explosive eruptions can eject a large amount of materials into the air. Very violent eruptions called Plinian eruptions, after the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder. These eruptions can last for several hours to days, ejecting large amounts of pyroclastic materials. The composition of the magma affects volcanic activity. When magma contains more silica, the magma is thicker and more viscous. The greater the viscosity of the magma, the more difficult it is for gases to escape from it. In this case, the eruption is a violent one, releasing huge volumes of tephra. Granitic and andesitic lava have high silica content, so they are thicker and viscous. QUIET NON-EXPLOSIVE ERUPTION basaltic magma has relatively low silica content. It is less viscous and gases can escape readily from it. As a result, the volcanic eruption is mild and a gentle flow of lava follows. Mild eruptions and quiet flow of lava are typical of the Hawaiian shield cones like Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Benefits of Volcanic Eruptions Agricultural benefits – the greatest resource from a volcanic eruption is the land formed by the erupted materials. After a volcanic eruption, the burning lava can turn into the one of the richest or most fertile soil in the world. Energy benefits – geothermal energy is an alternative source of electricity. People living within volcanic regions use the underground steam as the source of electricity. Industrial benefits – volcanoes contain a very rich amount of minerals such as gold, silver, and copper. Volcanic soil is a good source of building materials, and because of its rich mineral contents, it is used as source of chemicals and industrial materials. It is also used in making pots and other earthen containers and house decors. Economic and Recreational Benefits – volcanoes can promote tourism. Mt. Mayon in Albay and Taal Volcano in Batangas are among the most-visited tourist spots in the Philippines. Surrounding places near the volcanoes where hot springs can be found are favorite recreational spots of people. Dangers of Volcanic Eruption Effects of Volcanic Gases – the volcanic gases pose the greatest potential hazard to people, animals, agriculture, and properties. Volcanic ash like sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, and hydrochloric fumes can lead to acid precipitation. Globally, large explosive eruptions that inject a tremendous volume of sulfur aerosols in the stratosphere can lead to lower surface temperature and promote depletion of Earth’s ozone layer. Because carbon dioxide gas is heavier than air, the gases may flow into low-lying areas and collect in the soil. Effects of Lava Flows – lava flows destroy everything in its path – vegetation, field ranches, forests in the slopes of the volcanic cone, etc. huge volumes of lava flow can cause massive damage to property and tremendous economic loss. The speed at which lava moves across the ground and its thickness is also life threatening. Effects of Pyroclastic Flows – massive debris flow or lahar forms when hot ashes, very fine rock fragments, and hot lava are mixed with water from nearby lakes or rivers or when heavy rains occur. Lahar moves from the volcanic vent or fissures on the volcanic cone at great speeds and can travel through valleys and flat areas, destroying and burying everything in its path. Effects of Volcanic Activities in Global Climate – ecologists hypothesize that volcanic activities play a very important role in reducing global temperature and thereby reducing the overall warming trend. Volcanic eruptions can inject clouds of dust and gas in the stratosphere and as such block the incoming sunlight, reducing the heat energy input to our planet. Major volcanic eruptions such as those of Krakatoa in 1883 and Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 reduced the world climate for a year or two. It was documented that the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo alone in 1991 that blasted huge dust particles into the stratosphere had lowered the global temperature to about 0.5 ºC -1 ºC for one year after its eruption. However, the cooling effects provided by these volcanic activities are only temporary. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER a VOLCANIC ERUPTION BEFORE VOLCANIC ERUPTION
1. Learn about your community’s warning system and develop an emergency
communication plan. If there is none, work with your community and develop one.
2. Prepare disaster supplies or survival kit.
3. Your local government has evacuation plans. Follow the evaluation plans. Follow the authorities’ instructions and leave the area before the disaster begins. Get to higher grounds away from the eruption. 4. Evacuate before volcano erupts. It is not safe to stay at home and wait for the start of an eruption; doing so could be very dangerous. Stay safe.
5. Have a plan in case family members are separated during a volcanic
eruption. Ask help from your relatives or friends to get in touch with your family.
6. Put all household materials inside your house and bring animals and livestock into closed shelters. DURING VOLCANIC ERUPTION 1. Avoid areas near the slopes of the volcano. Lava could flow near the slopes.
2. If caught indoors, close all windows, doors, and other openings. Remain indoors.
3. If caught outdoors, protect your head from rocks and immediately run indoors.
4. Avoid low-lying areas where lava flow could reach and poisonous gases can collect. 5. Wear long-sleeved shirts and a pair of pants to protect you from volcanic dust. Use a dust mask to protect your eyes or hold a damp cloth over your face.
6. Never watch an erupting volcano. Stay away from it. A lateral blast of a volcano can travel many miles away.
7. Avoid mudflows. Mudflows occur when rain falls and mixes with ashes and debris. Stay away from bridges and streams to avoid mudflow. AFTER VOLCANIC ERUPTION 1. Listen to a battery-powered radio or television for the latest emergency information. 2. Stay away from volcanic ash fall. When outside, protect your eyes, mouth, and nose from volcanic ash falls. Wear goggles to protect your eyes and use a damp cloth to protect your mouth and nose. 3. If you have a respiratory ailment, stay indoors to avoid inhaling dust and ash. Follow local health officials. Seek advice if it is safe to go outside. 4. Clear your house from ash fall or dust. Ash fall can cause roofs to collapse.
