Volcanoes

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 How Volcanoes are Formed?

A volcano is a vent, an opening, a mountain, or hill formed around a crack in the

Earth's crust where molten rocks, lava, ashes and gaseous materials are
thrown out.
Crustal plates move because of some forces. When a continental plate and an
oceanic plate move toward each other and collide, the edge of the continental
plate goes down into that part of the mantle where molten rocks are found.
Rocks that go down are partially melted due to great heat. Magma is generated
because of the partial melting of rocks. Pressure builds up under the earth.
Pressure pushes gases and the magma. Gases that are pushed upward become
compressed thus exerting much force against the underside of the crust. In a
place where the crust is weak, the magma and gases push their way out.
Pressure in the mantle forces the magma to the surface. This force makes
volcano erupt.
 Where Do Volcanoes Form

Most of the volcanoes in the world are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Volcanoes are formed the convergent boundaries which are between two
plates that move toward each other. Many volcanoes have formed around the
Pacific plate. This plate is moving toward the Eurasian Plate and Australian
Plate forming an area called Pacific Ring of Fire. In this area are trenches, ocean
ridges and transform faults are found.
Some volcanoes are also formed at a divergent boundary. This boundary is
where two plates move way from each other. A deep crack called rift is formed
when two plates pull apart. Magma rises and flows through the rift and builds
up. This results in the formation of volcanic islands. An example of a volcanic
island is Iceland.

There are also volcanoes that form far from the edges of a plate. Other
volcanoes are in the ocean basins whose tops form islands or chains of islands.
The Philippines is a chain of islands of volcanic origin. The Hawaiian Islands are
volcanic islands that are located in the middle of the Pacific plate.
 Classification of Volcanoes
Shield volcanoes are dome-shaped
mountains built out of layers of lava.
They have broad and low base with
gently sloping sides. Mauna Loa,
famous volcano in Hawaii, and
Kilauea in the same place are
examples of shield volcanoes.
Cinder-cone volcanoes are cone-shaped
mountains formed from explosive eruptions.
They have narrow base and steep slopes.
They are formed by tephra volcanic
materials like ash, dust, cinders, scoria or
pumice. They erupt quickly for a short time.
Example of this type of volcano is Paricutin
in Western Mexico.
Composite volcanoes are towering
cone-shaped mountains formed from
alternate quiet and explosive
eruptions. They are built from a
combination of lava and tephra that
erupted from a central vent. Materials
pile up in alternate layers around the
vent. They have broad bases and
steeper toward the summit. An
example of this is the Mt. Fuji of
Japan, Mayon Volcano of the
Philippines, Mt. Vesuvius of Italy, and
Mt. St. Helens of America
Extinct volcanoes are inactive volcanoes that do not have a record of any
eruption in the past thousand years. They have no signs of activity.

Active volcanoes are volcanoes that have erupted within the last 50 years or
so, are in the process of erupting, and those that have recently erupted.

Dormant volcanoes are volcanoes that have not erupted for sometime or have
not erupted within 50 years or so but have records
 Effects of Volcanic Eruptions

People associate volcanic eruptions to danger of lives and properties. The

hazardous volcanic bombs of molten rocks thrown out of the volcano damage
severely houses, buildings, and properties. People are killed as well as animals
and plants. The hot lava that flows burns anything that lies on their path.
Dusts and ashes emitted cause discomfort and give off poisonous gases.
Mudflows and lahar cover topsoil that cannot be used for a long time for
vegetation purposes. Climate changes take place because of ashfalls. Emitted
gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are trapped in the atmosphere that
brings global warming, change of temperature, and formation of acid rain.
When it falls on to the ground acid rain kills water plants and animals and
destroys properties.
However, there are benefits that can be seen with volcanic eruptions. The
lava that flowed turned into black soil making the soil fertile. Rocks
formed from lava are used in building roads. Sulfur deposits are used in
making chemicals. Materials emitted by the volcanoes help scientists learn
more about the interior conditions of the earth. Volcanoes also serve as
tourist attractions.
 Observing Safety Measure from
Volcanic Eruptions
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
continuously studies volcanic activities in order to safeguard the people within
the vicinity of any volcano. They draw up hazard zones to protect the safety of
the people. People in the area are informed ahead of time so they can evacuate
to safer places before destructive eruptions will take place.
There are warning signs of an active volcano before it actually erupts. The
following signs are earthquakes, rumbling sounds, emission of steam,
unusual behavior of animals living near the volcano, and drying up of
vegetation along the vicinity.

Everyone who stays near or along the vicinity of the volcano has to observe
safety precautionary measures before, during and after volcanic eruptions.
Before Volcanic Eruptions

All family members must be properly guided, informed and oriented of the
danger and things to do to protect themselves. Food must be stored such as
canned goods and bottled water, and emergency needs such as battery-
powered radios, cellphones, matches, and clothing for protection. Masks to
cover the nose and mouth must also be readied to be used in case of ashfalls.
During Volcanic Eruptions

Go to a safer place and avoid places where destructive rocks may fall and lava
flows. Use masks to cover the mouth and nose to avoid respiratory illnesses.
Stay in an evacuation center and do not leave unless proper instructions are
given.

After Volcanic Eruptions

Clear the vicinity, roofs of houses, canals, and pathways of ashes, dusts, and
other debris. Be aware of lahar flows when it rains. Transfer to a safe place if
this takes place.