VOLCANOES

AND
VOLCANIC HAZARDS
 WHAT IS
A VOLCANO?
WHAT IS A VOLCANO?
Volcanoes are openings in
Earth’s crust that allows the
energy from the interior of
Earth to escape the surface.

The energy in the magma

(composed of molten rocks
from Earth’s mantle) that
goes out are in the form of
lava, ash and gas.
CLASSIFICATION OF VOLCANOES
Volcanoes are classified according to
certain criteria:

1. Activity
2. Composition and structure
3. Eruption
CLASSIFICATION OF VOLCANOES
1. By Activity
➢ ACTIVE – if a volcano has a tendency to erupt
or if it is already erupting
➢ DORMANT – a volcano that is not erupting or
is not going to erupt sometime in the near
future (potentially active volcanoes)
➢ EXTINCT – volcanoes that have not erupted in
the last 30000 to 40000 years and are not
expected to erupt anytime soon.
ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN THE PHILIPPINES

MT. KANLAON
ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN THE PHILIPPINES

MT. MAYON
ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN THE PHILIPPINES

TAAL VOLCANO
ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN THE PHILIPPINES

MT. PINATUBO
CLASSIFICATION OF VOLCANOES
2. By Composition and Structure
SHIELD – generally low and has a dome shape

MAUNA LOA (Hawaii)

CLASSIFICATION OF VOLCANOES
2. By Composition and Structure
CINDER CONE
o considered as the
simplest type
o result of an eruption
from a single vent.
o It has a bowl-shaped
crater, which forms
SMITH VOLCANO (Cagayan)
at the summit.
CLASSIFICATION OF VOLCANOES
2. By Composition and Structure
COMPOSITE
o most common type
o also called as
stratovolcano
o typically tall
mountains that have
steep sides
MAYON VOLCANO (Albay, Bicol)
o erupts violently
CLASSIFICATION OF VOLCANOES
3. By Eruption
EXPLOSIVE (central)
o Happens due to the buildup of thick magma
with high silica content
o Slow flowing and very viscous
o Eruptions are rapid and violent
o Volcanoes spew lava, ash, and other volcanic
materials over large distances.
CLASSIFICATION OF VOLCANOES
3. By Eruption
FISSURE (quiet)
o Emits a lot of lava coming from fissure or crack
on the surface
o Lava derived from magma with low silica
content has low viscosity, allowing gas to
escape.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
LAHAR
o Lahar is a mudflow composed of rocky
debris, water, and pyroclastic material.
o It flows down from a volcano, often along a
river valley.
o Its cement-like consistency makes it very
dangerous.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
LAHAR
o Lahar has a maximum temperature of
100°C
o The movement of lahar causes more
devastation compared to that of a lava flow.
VOLCANIC HAZARDS

Ash and lahar

accumulation in a
river valley near
the slopes of
Mount Pinatubo
following the
1991 eruption.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
ASH FALL
o Volcanic ash or tephra is hard, extremely
abrasive, mildly corrosive, conducts
electricity when wet, and does not dissolve
in water.
o It is made up of small jagged pieces of
rocks, minerals, and volcanic glass less
than 2 mm in diameter.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
ASH FALL
o When ash fall occurs during daytime, the
sky would turn hazy, and sunlight would
turn into a pale yellow color. Near the
volcano, the daylight would turn into
darkness.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
ASH FALL
o Ash falls slowly and can destroy structures
and buildings by putting more weight on
the roof causing a collapse.
o Can destroy agricultural land.
o Clog filters of vehicles and machines.
o Can be very slippery.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
ASH FALL
o Airborne particles can have adverse health
effects on plants, animals, and humans.
o Can cause asthma, bronchitis, emphysema,
dehydration, starvation and poisoning.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
ASH FALL
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
PYROCLASTIC DENSITY CURRENT
o PDCs are high-density mixtures of hot,
dry fragments and hot gases that move
away from the vent that erupted them at
high speeds.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
PYROCLASTIC DENSITY CURRENT
o PDCs can easily incinerate, burn, and
suffocate humans and animals.
o The gases that come with the pyroclastic flow
can explode and may even cause acid rain.
o They can travel long distances, thus
producing greater hazard.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
BALLISTIC PROJECTILE
o This is a rock fragment that is ejected from a
volcano during its explosive eruption.
o The impact of projectiles poses a serious
hazard to humans, plants and animals, and
properties.
o Ballistic projectiles can travel as far as 5km or
even further, depending on the magnitude of
explosion.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
BALLISTIC PROJECTILE
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
VOLCANIC GASES
o This consist of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen
sulfide, which are poisonous and hazardous
to organisms. These are the main
constituents of the magma that is spewed
out during an eruption.
o These excessive composition of these
chemicals in the air can cause acid rain.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
VOLCANIC GASES
o Plants, buildings and other structures that
are exposed to acid rain are prone to
corrosion.
o It also cause respiratory problems and
health risk.
 VOLCANIC HAZARDS
LAVA FLOW
o This is molten rocks that pours down from the
slopes of the volcano. It is different from
pyroclastic flow in that lava flow is denser and
hence moves more slowly.
o Lava flows can kill vegetation and destroy
property by burning homes and destroying
infrastructure such as bridge and roads.
o Forest fires can be ignited by a lava flow.
VOLCANIC HAZARDS
 Signs of an Impending Volcanic
Eruption
1. Occurrence of tremors or increase in the frequency of
small earthquake.
2. Deformation in the ground manifested by changes in
ground elevation (tilting) and formation of cracks or
openings (ground fissuring).
3. Increase in the amount of volcanic gases and in
temperature, which may indicate that the magma has
gone closer to the surface.
4. Glow of volcanic crater due to the presence of magma.
 Signs of an Impending Volcanic
Eruption
5. Increase in the steam emission coming from volcanic
openings, fissures or hot springs.
6. Thermal changes within the surrounding of the volcano.
7. Change in the color of nearby vegetation and lakes.
8. Landslides and rockfall not due to heavy rains.
9. Drying up of springs and freshwater sources around the
volcano.
PRECAUTIONARY and SAFETY MEASURES
BEFORE an ERUPTION
1. Stay update with local news.
2. Learn about your community warning system and
emergency plans.
3. Prepare emergency supply kit.
4. Pack all important and essential items in light and
waterproof containers.
5. Secure livestock in enclosed shelter.
6. Listen to public announcement of local authorities.
 PRECAUTIONARY and SAFETY MEASURES
DURING an ERUPTION
1. Follow evacuation orders issued by local authorities and
remind family members your disaster plan.
2. If told stay indoor, place damp cloth over windows and doors.
3. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
4. Use goggles to protect your eyes.
5. Use a dusk mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to
prevent inhalation of ashes and volcanic particles.
6. Avoid low-lying regions and river areas near the volcano.
7. Listen to a battery operated radio for the latest emergency
information.
 PRECAUTIONARY and SAFETY MEASURES
AFTER an ERUPTION
1. Wait for the announcement from local authorities that it is safe to
return to your house.
2. Inspect your house carefully for any damage before you enter it.
3. If you or your family members has a respiratory ailment, stay away
from volcanic ashfall area.
4. Wear a dust mask, gloves and goggles while cleaning the debris
and ashfall.
5. Check electrical wirings, gas and appliances before using them.
6. Boil water before drinking it.
7. Stay informed and listen for emergency updates and news.