Volcanoes

• What are hot spots in relation to volcanoes?


  Areas where the Earth's crust is especially thin, allowing magma to pool and create volcanoes
• Why do people live near volcanoes?


  For hot springs, geothermal energy, valuable minerals, fertile soil, and tourism
• What is geothermal energy?


  Energy generated by heat stored deep in the Earth
• What is an example of a geothermal power station?

  Hellisheidi power station in Iceland
• What is the significance of volcanic soils?


  They are extremely fertile and support a large portion of the world's population
• What is monitoring in the context of natural hazards?


  Recording physical changes to help forecast when and where a natural hazard might strike
• How can the risks of volcanic eruptions be reduced?


  By monitoring earthquake activity and gas emissions
• What are some monitoring techniques for volcanic eruptions?


  Recording earthquake frequency and strength, and measuring gas emissions
• How does earthquake activity indicate an impending volcanic eruption?


  Increased frequency and strength of earthquakes can signal that magma is moving beneath the volcano
• What gases are monitored to predict volcanic eruptions?


  Gases emitted from the volcano
• What gas increases in amount before a volcanic eruption?

  Sulphur dioxide
• How do tiltmeters help in predicting volcanic eruptions?


  They identify small changes in the landscape caused by rising magma
• What do thermal heat sensors detect in relation to volcanoes?


  Changes in the temperature of the volcano’s surface
• What happens to water temperatures in nearby rivers and lakes before a volcanic eruption?


  They may rapidly increase in temperature
• What planning measures can be taken for volcanic eruptions?


  • Evacuation plans
  • Exclusion zones
  • Education on preventing injury from gas fumes
• Why is protection against volcanic eruptions considered difficult?


  • Buildings cannot withstand lava flows, lahars, or falling debris/ash
  • Evacuation is the most effective protection