Introduction

”More than 80% of the earth’s surface is volcanic in origin. The sea floor and some mountains were formed by countless volcanic eruptions. Gaseous emissions from volcano formed the earth’s atmosphere” (Leavitt 61). People need to be concerned regarding volcanic eruptions due to the negative impacts that come as a result. Past experience has shown that volcanoes have the ability to destroy property, and result to deaths of numerous people. A good example is the eruption that took place in Mt. Pelee, which resulted to the death of more than 30,000 people (Environmental Science 819). People should always be prepaid for this natural disaster in order to reduce the number of people that are susceptible to death.

Definition

According to Ready, “a volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a reservoir of molten rock below the surface of the earth.”

A volcano is usually caused by the pressure that mounts on the magma chamber that results to some of its contents being forced to the surface. The magma is normally ejected through the cracks found in the rocks.

Problems

Occurrence of volcanic eruptions has been known to bring a variety of problems. The problems tend to affect people either directly or indirectly. There are those problems which cannot be attributed directly to the occurrence of the volcanoes, but the strategies that people put in place to deal with the situation.

Volcanic eruptions have been known to result to death of people. In 1980, the eruption at Mt. St. Helens resulted to the death of 62 people. Eruption of Mt. Pelee also resulted to the death of around 30,000 people (Environmental Science 819). Some of these deaths are attributed to the force that comes with the volcano. There are some instances that people die due to the gases emitted during the eruption. They end up developing respiratory complications that usually result to death.

A volcano also results to destruction of property. When Mt. Helens erupted, it resulted to destruction of the surrounding forest. This destruction culminated to $1 billion losses for the timber industry. The eruption of Mt. Pelee on its part wiped out Saint-Pierre town. This is as a result of the hot gases that mixed with pulverized rocks and swept down the slopes (Environmental Science 819).

Volcanoes also have the ability of contributing to climate change. A good example is the eruption that took place on Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. The eruption resulted to emission of 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide aerosol particles in the atmosphere (Environmental Science 819). The particles tend to reflect sunlight into space. This ends up making winters warmer and summers cooler. However, the climate change caused doe not last forever. The effect fades after a few years.

Solutions

Based on the nature of problems that volcanic eruptions bring, people need to be prepared so as to avoid the adverse effects of the natural disaster. There are ways that people can prepare before, during and after a volcano has occurred.

Before a volcanic eruption, a family should come up with a family plan. There is a probability that the family might not be together when the natural disaster strikes. For this reason, it is good to have plan on how to contact each other in the event of this occurrence. This can be achieved by listing the things that should be done. People also need to have an emergency supply kit (Ready).  The kit should contain non-perishable water, food, extra flash lights, hand-crank radio and batteries. It is more advisable to create a kit that is portable. This is due to the possibility of evacuations taking place. The supplies included should be sufficient for all family members.

During the eruption, it is of great importance to follow all the instructions that are being given by the authorities. This is because they have already sourced more information regarding the situation. Ignoring their directives could result to more harm than good. In case the house is not affected by the eruption in any way, it is advisable to remain indoors until everything is in order (Ready). People should also be on the lookout for mudflows. The danger that comes with mudflows becomes more prevalent with prolonged heavy rains or near stream channels. A mudflow has the ability of moving faster than an individual can walk or run. It is good not to cross a bridge when a mudflow is approaching. People should also remember to help their neighbors in the event of a volcanic eruption. This is more so to people that need special assistance like the elderly people and infants (Ready).

After the eruption, it is prudent to search for information from different media outlets, and more so weather stations. This helps in knowing what is going on and the directives that are being given by the authorities. People should also go to the designated public shelters. This should happen if they are feeling unsafe to be at home, or an evacuation order has been provided (Ready).

The government on its part should help by communicating to the public on the forward. This should be done before, during and after the eruption. After it has already occurred, the government should come with a way of helping the people that have been affected.

Conclusion

Volcanic eruptions result to death of people once they strike. A good example is the eruption at Mt. Pelee. It resulted to approximately 30,000 deaths. Volcanoes have also shown their ability to destroy property. In 1980, the eruption at Mt. Helens resulted to the destruction of the surrounding forest. This destruction resulted to losses amounting to $1 billion in the timber industry. Aspects of climate change have also been experienced due to the gases such as sulfur dioxide aerosol particles that are emitted to the atmosphere during eruptions.

There are things that people can do in order to remain safe in the occurrence of a volcanic eruption. Before an eruption, people should be ready to move in case there is need for evacuation and should have a family emergency plan if things get worse. During an eruption, it is important to follow directives being provided by the authorities. If the house is not affected in any way, it is prudent to remain indoors until everything is back to order. After a volcanic eruption, people should search for information from various media outlets in order to get the information on what is happening and the things that they are supposed to be doing.

Works Cited

Leavitt, Jane. Anatomy of a Volcanic Eruption. Mankato, MN: Capstone, 2012. Print.

“Volcanoes.” Environmental Science: In Context. Ed. Brenda Wilmoth Lerner and K. Lee             Lerner. Vol. 2.             Detroit: Gale, 2009. 818-820. In Context Series. Opposing Viewpoints in   Context. Web. 02 May 2016.

“Volcanoes.” Ready. Department of Homeland Security, n.d. Web. 02 May 2016.

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