Impacts of volcanic eruptions

Give some primary social impacts of an eruption

• People killed, buildings and infrastructure destroyed by pyroclastic flows and fallout.

• Mudflows and flooding (caused by ice melt) cause damage and deaths.

Give a secondary social impact

Pyroclastic flows and lava flows can start fires, damaging buildings.

What are the secondary environmental impacts?

• Ecosystems damaged or destroyed by flows and fallout of volcanic material.

• Acid rain causes acidification of marine ecosystems and death for some plants/animals.

• Volcanic gases contribute to enhanced greenhouse effect.

Name a primary economic impact

Eruptions and their scenery attract tourists, boosting the economy.

Name a secondary economic impact

Eruptions destroy business, and ash clouds prevent aircraft and damage crops.

What is a secondary political impact?

Agricultural land damage, causes food shortages, causing conflict and unrest.