8.3 Notes Effects of Volcanic Eruptions

Key Concept: The effects of volcanic eruptions can change human and wildlife habitats. Did you know that a volcanic eruption can have both negative and positive effects? What do you think are some positive effects? What do you think are some negative effects?Key Concept: The effects of volcanic eruptions can change human and wildlife habitats. Did you know that a volcanic eruption can have both negative and positive effects? What do you think are some positive effects? What do you think are some negative effects?

What happens to the habitat (environment) immediately after an eruption? What happens to the habitat (environment) immediately after an eruption? It is destroyed. It dies. It is burnt. It is destroyed. It dies. It is burnt. What happens to the habitat 2-3 years after an eruption? What happens to the habitat 2-3 years after an eruption? It re-grows. It re-grows.

Negative Effects After a large volcanic eruption, ash and gases can spread around the globe lowering temperatures as much as 4 degrees for several years. This temperature decrease for such a long time can cause crop failures and starvation. This can lead to many deaths. After a large volcanic eruption, ash and gases can spread around the globe lowering temperatures as much as 4 degrees for several years. This temperature decrease for such a long time can cause crop failures and starvation. This can lead to many deaths. Volcanic eruptions can kill people and devastate wildlife habitats. It can also knock down trees and destroy buildings. Volcanic eruptions can kill people and devastate wildlife habitats. It can also knock down trees and destroy buildings. The pyroclastic flow can burn everything in its path. The pyroclastic flow can burn everything in its path.

The volcanic material can melt snowcaps on mountains causing floods. The volcanic material can melt snowcaps on mountains causing floods. Volcanic ash can cause respiratory problems for humans when they breath it in. Volcanic ash can cause respiratory problems for humans when they breath it in. Large volcanic eruptions can effect the globes climate for several years. Large volcanic eruptions can effect the globes climate for several years.

Benefits of Volcanic Eruptions Volcanic eruptions can produce fertile soil excellent for farming. Volcanic eruptions can produce fertile soil excellent for farming. Volcanic eruptions can produce geothermal energy – a renewable energy that can be used to drive turbines to heat homes, grow crops, and keep roads free of ice. Volcanic eruptions can produce geothermal energy – a renewable energy that can be used to drive turbines to heat homes, grow crops, and keep roads free of ice. Volcanic rock can be used in construction. It can be mixed with wet lime to make concrete (the Romans used to do this) (the U.S. does this to create dams) Volcanic rock can be used in construction. It can be mixed with wet lime to make concrete (the Romans used to do this) (the U.S. does this to create dams)

Roads and bridges are also created from volcanic material. Roads and bridges are also created from volcanic material. Volcanic ash absorbs moisture and so it is used in cat litter. Volcanic ash absorbs moisture and so it is used in cat litter. Pumice (volcanic material) is used in facial scrubs, soaps, cleaners, and polishes. Pumice (volcanic material) is used in facial scrubs, soaps, cleaners, and polishes. Pumice is also used to filter water Pumice is also used to filter water