Junior cert geography chap 2

volcanologist

scientists who study volcanoes

they monitor volcanoes to understand why + how they erupt and predict when + where they might erupt in the future

how are volcanoes formed

when 2 plates seperate or collide magma can rise from the mantle

it fill the space that opens in the crust called the vent in an eruption

magma cools and hardens at the surface this is known as lava

after many eruptions layers of ash and lava build up around the vent and a cone shaped mountain forms with a crater at the top from which the lava flows

3 types of volcanoes

active dormant extinct

an active volcano

has erupted in the past 10,000 years eg mount st helens in north america

a dormant volcano

hasnt erupted in the past 10,000 years but is expected to erupt again in the future eg kilimanjaro in tanzania

an extinct volcano

is never expected to erupt again eg mount kenya in kenya

the mid atlantic ridge

a range of submarine mountains and volcanoes

pacific ring of fire

a horse-shoe shaped area which contains many plate boundaries

home to 75% of the earths active volcanoes

where 90% of the worlds earthquakes occur

positive social impact of E15

increased tourism and employment

2008 only 500,000 tourists whereas in 2016 1.8m tourists

positive economic impact of E15

generated income

new tourist attractions eg an E15 visitor centre

fertile soil from E15

lava and ash are rich in nutrients E15 made soils very fertile and good for agricultural use

negative social impact of E15

ash contaminated water supply so farmers couldnt let their animals drink from streams near the volcano

500 families had to evacuate

negative economic impact of E15

100,000 flights cancelled over 8 days due to ash sent several km into the air and blown across europe

fresh fruit couldnt be transported by plane

loss of earning- 1m flowers went unsold in the first 2 days

short term responses to E15

people who lived in the zone deemed most at risk were told to evacuate their homes and farms

emergency aid by the red cross. they organised volunteers to help people who were impacted by the eruption. they provided food, shelter and councelling

long term responses to E15

planning and preparations had been in place since 2002 to prepare for an eruption of E15 , locals were educated on what to do in the event of an eruption

areas impacted by heavy ash falls, lava and contaminated water had to be repaired which took weeks

geothermal energy

heat from the ground. its used to head 90% of homes in iceland. its efficient and saves money