Effects of Volcanic Eruptions: Positive Negative

Effects of volcanic eruptions
Volcanic eruptions can have a devastating effect on people and the environment.
However, unlike earthquakes, volcanoes can also have a positive impact on an area.
These positive impacts can help to explain why people choose to live near
volcanoes.
Positive Negative
The dramatic scenery created by volcanic

Many lives can be lost as a result of a
eruptions attracts tourists. This brings income
volcanic eruption.
to an area.
The lava and ash deposited during an If the ash and mud from a volcanic
eruption breaks down to provide valuable eruption mix with rain water or melting
nutrients for the soil. This creates very fertile snow, fast moving mudflows are created.
soil which is good for agriculture These flows are called lahars.
The high level of heat and activity inside the

Lava flows and lahars can destroy
Earth, close to a volcano, can provide
settlements and clear areas of woodland
opportunities for generating geothermal
or agriculture.
energy.
Human and natural landscapes can be

destroyed and changed forever.
Case study: Chances Peak, Montserrat, 1995-97 - an LEDC

Plymouth covered in ash from volcanic eruptions on Montserrat
Montserrat is a small island in the Caribbean. There is a volcanic area located in the
south of the island on Soufriere Hills called Chances Peak. Before 1995 it had
been dormant for over 300 years. In 1995 the volcano began to give off warning
signs of an eruption (small earthquakes and eruptions of dust and ash). Once
Chances Peak had woken up it then remained active for five years. The most
intense eruptions occurred in 1997.
During this time, Montserrat was devastated by pyroclastic flows. The small
population of the island (11,000 people) was evacuated in 1995 to the north of
Montserrat as well as to neighbouring islands and the UK.
Despite the evacuations, 19 people were killed by the eruptions as a small group of
people chose to stay behind to watch over their crops.
Volcanic eruptions and lahars have destroyed large areas of Montserrat. The capital,

Plymouth, has been covered in layers of ash and mud. Many homes and buildings
have been destroyed, including the only hospital, the airport and many roads.
The graphic shows the progress of the eruption and its impact on the island.
Short-term responses and results
 Evacuation
 Abandonment of the capital city
 The British government gave money for compensation and redevelopment
 Unemployment rose due to the collapse of the tourist industry
Long-term responses and results
 An exclusion zone was set up in the volcanic region

 A volcanic observatory was built to monitor the volcano
 New roads and a new airport were built
 Services in the north of the island were expanded
 The presence of the volcano resulted in a growth in tourism
Volcanic activity has calmed down in recent years and people have begun to return
to the island.
You might be asked to consider the values and attitudes or opinions of people
involved in the eruption, such as refugees or aid workers for example.
Case study: Mount St Helens 1980 (MEDC)
Mount St Helens is on the plate boundary between the Juan de Fuca plate and North
American plate. When it erupted it permanently changed the surrounding landscape.
Primary effects
 Nuée ardente (hot ash and gas) destroyed forests and logging camps.
 63 people were killed, mainly by poisonous gases.
 Lahars (mudflows of ash and water) covered an extensive area surrounding the
volcano.
Secondary effects
 Ash blocked rivers destroying popular fishing sites and causing flooding. This in turn
destroyed crops and livestock.
 Flooding destroyed communications such as road and railway bridges.
 Sediment carried downstream ruined barge transport on the Columbia River.
Short-term responses and results

 Communications such as roads and bridges were repaired.
 People were rehoused.
Long-term responses and results

 Soil fertility improved due to the ash deposits.
 The volcano is now more carefully monitored.
 Tourism has increased, boosting the local economy.
Link:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgh79qt/revision/7

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Effects of volcanic eruptions

The dramatic scenery created by volcanic

The high level of heat and activity inside the

Human and natural landscapes can be

Case study: Chances Peak, Montserrat, 1995-97 - an LEDC

Volcanic eruptions and lahars have destroyed large areas of Montserrat. The capital,

Long-term responses and results

 An exclusion zone was set up in the volcanic region

Case study: Mount St Helens 1980 (MEDC)

Short-term responses and results

Long-term responses and results

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