REVISION ON VOLCANOES

1. What is a volcano?

A volcano is formed by eruptions of lava and ash. Volcanoes form when magma, which is molten
rock from beneath the Earth's crust, reaches the surface. When magma reaches the Earth's surface it
is called lava. When the lava cools, it forms rock.

2. Structure and common features of volcanoes

Volcanoes have distinctive features:

 magma chamber - this is where the molten rock is stored beneath the ground

 main vent - this is the channel through which magma travels to reach the Earth's surface

 secondary vent - some magma may escape through the side of the volcano, particularly if
the main vent becomes blocked

 crater - this is found at the top of the volcano, where the magma erupts from

3. Causes of volcanoes

Volcanoes usually form along plate margins, where crustal plates are either moving towards or away
from one another:

Constructive margin - this is where two plates move away from one another. Magma rises up to fill
the gaps in between.

Destructive margin - this is where two plates move towards one another. The oceanic crust sinks
beneath continental crust at a subduction zone - a point where one crustal plate is forced beneath
another. As the oceanic crust sinks into the mantle it creates magma, which rises to form a volcano.

Volcanic eruptions cannot happen at conservative (transform) boundaries. Some volcanoes happen
underwater, along the seabed or ocean floor.

4. Different types of volcanoes

Volcanoes can be described in terms of activity and can be:

 active (erupt frequently)

 dormant (temporarily inactive but not fully extinct)

 extinct (never likely to erupt again)

Volcanoes can also be grouped into two types based on type of lava: composite volcanoes and shield
volcanoes

Composite volcanoes are steep-sided volcanoes composed of many layers of volcanic rocks, usually
made from high-viscosity lava, ash and rock debris. The eruptions from these volcanoes may be
a pyroclastic flow rather than a lava flow. Mt. Fuji is an example of this type of volcano.

Shield volcanoes are volcanoes shaped like a bowl or shield in the middle with long gentle slopes
made by basaltic lava flows. Basalt lava flows from these volcanoes are called flood basalts. The
volcanoes that formed the basalt of the Columbia Plateau were shield volcanoes.
The other types of volcanoes are:

 Fissure: volcanoes running along a crack in the crust, usually a constructive boundary.

 Caldera: Crater volcano created after volcano collapses in on itself having emptied the
magma chamber.

 Dome: steep sided volcano created by acid lava which cools before it has travelled far.

5. Location of Volcanoes

The Pacific Ring of Fire is a string of volcanoes and earthquakes around the edges of the Pacific
Ocean. The Ring of Fire is the direct result of plate tectonics. The edges of several tectonic plates
meet along the Ring of Fire, resulting in most of the active volcanoes on Earth. Today The Ring of Fire
is home to over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes.

Hawaiian Islands, Volcanoes on Mid-Atlantic Ridge e.g Iceland volcano

6. Produce of volcanoes

Volcanoes have a large effect on their locality. They produce ash, lava, volcanic bombs, pyroclastic
flows and lahars. Ash from large volcanoes has been known to affect global climates.

 Lava is liquid rock (magma) that flows out of a volcano.

 Lahars are volcanic mudflows created when water (from rain or melt water from glaciers)
and ash mix. Lahar is composed of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, and water. The
material flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley. It is liquid when it's
moving, but when it stops, it solidifies. When lahars settle they can be metres thick and as
hard as cement.
 Pumice is a light, porous volcanic rock that forms during explosive eruptions.
 A pyroclastic flow is a mixture of hot steam, ash, rock and dust. A pyroclastic flow can roll
down the sides of a volcano at very high speeds and with temperatures of over 400°C.

7. The Impacts of volcanoes can be both positive and negative.

Negative Impacts

 Volcanic eruptions can cause significant damage and loss of life.

 Lava flows destroy vegetation buildings and roads.

 Ash can smother plants, cut out light in the atmosphere, disrupt air travel and cause
respiration problems for people.

 Eruptions often cause earthquakes as pressure is released.

 Volcanoes with ice near the peak, or crater lakes can cause devastating mud flows as the
water mixes with loose ash.

 Gas released from volcanoes can travel down the slopes silently killing people and animals.

Positive Impacts

 Volcanoes can bring environmental and socio-economic benefits.

 Fertile soils: ash and lava contain many minerals and nutrients that weather to form fertile
soils which can be used very effectively for farming.
 Sulphur deposits: sulphur is mined and sold by the people living close to volcanoes in
Indonesia.
 Tourism: the volcanic scenery, crater lakes, hot spring and geysers attract tourists and create
many job opportunities.
 Geothermal energy is where heat from within the Earth is used to generate
electricity. Geothermal energy can be generated in areas where magma lies close to
the surface. This is good for increasing our renewable energy use.
8. The Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption: effects of the eruption
Primary effects
The 150m thick ice cap above
the volcano melted. Homes
and roads were damaged,
including 20 farms. Crops
Local
were damaged by the heavy
ash falls. Local water supplies
were contaminated with
fluoride from the ash.
Agricultural production
affected as crops were
National
covered by a thick layer of
ash.
Flights were cancelled across
Europe and North America
Internationa due to the ash in the
l atmosphere, around 100000
flights over an eight day
period.
Secondary effects
The melted ice caused major
flooding. Around 700 people were
evacuated because of this. Parts of
Route 1 (the main road in southern
Iceland) were damaged by the flood
waters.
Drop in tourist numbers which
affected Iceland’s economy and
people’s jobs and incomes. Road
travel was disrupted due to road
damage and closures.
10 million air passengers had their
travel disrupted. It is estimated the
airlines lost over $2 billion in total.
Freight transport was disrupted,
food and flowers produced in Kenya
could not be flown to European
supermarkets before they perished.
Sporting events including the
Japanese Motorcycle grand prix and
the Boston Marathon were affected
as people couldn’t travel.