Effects of volcanoes Volcano

1 effects of volcanoes

1.1 volcanic gases
1.2 significant consequences

1.2.1 prehistory
1.2.2 historical


1.3 acid rain
1.4 hazards

effects of volcanoes

schematic of volcano injection of aerosols , gases



solar radiation graph 1958–2008, showing how radiation reduced after major volcanic eruptions



sulfur dioxide concentration on sierra negra volcano, galapagos islands, during eruption in october 2005

there many different types of volcanic eruptions , associated activity: phreatic eruptions (steam-generated eruptions), explosive eruption of high-silica lava (e.g., rhyolite), effusive eruption of low-silica lava (e.g., basalt), pyroclastic flows, lahars (debris flow) , carbon dioxide emission. of these activities can pose hazard humans. earthquakes, hot springs, fumaroles, mud pots , geysers accompany volcanic activity.

volcanic gases

the concentrations of different volcanic gases can vary considerably 1 volcano next. water vapor typically abundant volcanic gas, followed carbon dioxide , sulfur dioxide. other principal volcanic gases include hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen chloride, , hydrogen fluoride. large number of minor , trace gases found in volcanic emissions, example hydrogen, carbon monoxide, halocarbons, organic compounds, , volatile metal chlorides.

large, explosive volcanic eruptions inject water vapor (h2o), carbon dioxide (co2), sulfur dioxide (so2), hydrogen chloride (hcl), hydrogen fluoride (hf) , ash (pulverized rock , pumice) stratosphere heights of 16–32 kilometres (10–20 mi) above earth s surface. significant impacts these injections come conversion of sulfur dioxide sulfuric acid (h2so4), condenses rapidly in stratosphere form fine sulfate aerosols. so2 emissions alone of 2 different eruptions sufficient compare potential climatic impact. aerosols increase earth s albedo—its reflection of radiation sun space—and cool earth s lower atmosphere or troposphere; however, absorb heat radiated earth, thereby warming stratosphere. several eruptions during past century have caused decline in average temperature @ earth s surface of half degree (fahrenheit scale) periods of 1 3 years; sulfur dioxide eruption of huaynaputina caused russian famine of 1601–1603.

significant consequences
prehistory

a volcanic winter said have taken place around 70,000 years ago after supereruption of lake toba on sumatra island in indonesia. according toba catastrophe theory anthropologists , archeologists subscribe, had global consequences, killing humans alive , creating population bottleneck affected genetic inheritance of humans today.

it has been suggested volcanic activity caused or contributed end-ordovician, permian-triassic, late devonian mass extinctions, , possibly others. massive eruptive event formed siberian traps, 1 of largest known volcanic events of last 500 million years of earth s geological history, continued million years , considered cause of great dying 250 million years ago, estimated have killed 90% of species existing @ time.

historical

the 1815 eruption of mount tambora created global climate anomalies became known year without summer because of effect on north american , european weather. agricultural crops failed , livestock died in of northern hemisphere, resulting in 1 of worst famines of 19th century.

the freezing winter of 1740–41, led widespread famine in northern europe, may owe origins volcanic eruption.

acid rain

ash plume rising eyjafjallajökull on april 17, 2010

sulfate aerosols promote complex chemical reactions on surfaces alter chlorine , nitrogen chemical species in stratosphere. effect, increased stratospheric chlorine levels chlorofluorocarbon pollution, generates chlorine monoxide (clo), destroys ozone (o3). aerosols grow , coagulate, settle down upper troposphere serve nuclei cirrus clouds , further modify earth s radiation balance. of hydrogen chloride (hcl) , hydrogen fluoride (hf) dissolved in water droplets in eruption cloud , fall ground acid rain. injected ash falls rapidly stratosphere; of removed within several days few weeks. finally, explosive volcanic eruptions release greenhouse gas carbon dioxide , provide deep source of carbon biogeochemical cycles.

gas emissions volcanoes natural contributor acid rain. volcanic activity releases 130 230 teragrams (145 million 255 million short tons) of carbon dioxide each year. volcanic eruptions may inject aerosols earth s atmosphere. large injections may cause visual effects such unusually colorful sunsets , affect global climate cooling it. volcanic eruptions provide benefit of adding nutrients soil through weathering process of volcanic rocks. these fertile soils assist growth of plants , various crops. volcanic eruptions can create new islands, magma cools , solidifies upon contact water.

hazards

ash thrown air eruptions can present hazard aircraft, jet aircraft particles can melted high operating temperature; melted particles adhere turbine blades , alter shape, disrupting operation of turbine. dangerous encounters in 1982 after eruption of galunggung in indonesia, , 1989 after eruption of mount redoubt in alaska raised awareness of phenomenon. 9 volcanic ash advisory centers established international civil aviation organization monitor ash clouds , advise pilots accordingly. 2010 eruptions of eyjafjallajökull caused major disruptions air travel in europe.