Living near an active volcano is a risk people know when buying a house. Volcano eruptions have killed thousands of people, but that number has been majorly reduced down. In 2018 the death toll was about 160. The impact of volcanic eruptions is reduced by safety precautions, early warnings, and having a plan. To begin with, eruptions are caused by one reason and one reason only. Underneath the earth’s crust, a hot substance called magma, and gas builds up to the point where the magma overflows. Now the magma is called lava, it comes out the volcano along with ash, and rocks. “Less gas and more viscous lava usually mean a less dramatic eruption” (National Geographic Volcanoes). This means depending on the conditions the eruption it could be big or small, but both can still cause a lot of damage. But the effects can be even more destructive than the actual eruption.
When a volcano erupts it releases gas, dust, and ash into the atmosphere that forms a cloud that helps block solar radiation. This can cause the Earth to cool down, the effects can last anywhere between months and years. The cloud affect the climate because with the temperature cools down it could change the season, like the “Year Without Summer” (William K. Klingaman). To continue, two of the most destructive eruptions in history are Mount. Tambora, and Krakatau. Mount. Tambora erupted April 5-10 1815 near the northern coast of Sumbawa Indonesia. This was one of the most devastating eruptions in history. The eruption caused a huge tsunami, and “The Year Without Summer” (William K. Klingaman). “A Year Without Summer” was an effect of the eruption. The cloud can cool down the Earth, so it cooled down enough that they did have summer that year.
In result of this tragic year, the death toll was about 75,000 people, and 35,000 people were left homeless. Many of these people died because of starvation. In 1816 a study was done to observe the aftermath of the disaster. Also, there was another eruptions that were just as bad such as Krakatau,.This eruption happened on April 26-27 1883, about sixty-eight years after Mount. Tambora erupted in 1815. Like Mount. Tambora, this eruption also caused a huge tsunami. The waves of the tsunami were up to one hundred forty feet. The death toll of this natural disaster was about thirty-four thousand people. Additionally, a more recent eruption was very different from Mt. Tambora, and Krakatau. Kilauea’s most recent eruption happened on May 3 2018 on Hawaii’s big island. The damage compared to Mt. Tambora was small. Only 26 houses, and 35 structures were destroyed. The death toll for this eruption was 0 people. This shows the improvement in volcano safety because in the past volcanic eruptions have left thousands homeless, and thousands have died. Now only a few are homeless and no has died. This natural disaster was handled very well by the government. They had everyone in the dangerous part of Hawaii evacuate to a shelter. They made sure no one could be hurt by volcano, and obviously the measures they took worked. Continuing on, the government has a certain way they handle these type of events,early warnings,safety precautions, and having a plan. With modern technology scientist can now predict when a volcano might erupt about a week ahead of time.
People who live in the danger zone are notified immediately. According to USGS: Volcano Hazards Program “Public officials keep their communities safe by developing and exercising emergency plans and by providing hazards education and notifications about local hazards, and emergency procedures.”. This keeps everyone safe, and notified about the disaster. People who live by volcanoes are encouraged to have a plan to meet up with family, and have an emergency kit at their houses. In conclusion, volcanic eruptions have been very dangerous since the beginning of time, but over the ages humankind have found ways to be safer during the natural disaster. Volcanic eruptions are not even close to as dangerous as they used to be. But there is always room for improvement. Someday sciecetist will find a way to cut down on destruction of buildings, and homes because science is always improving.
