VOLCANIC ERUPTION

A volcanic eruption occurs when hot

materials from the earth’s interior are
thrown out of the volcano.Eruptions
can come from the side branches or
the top of the volcano.
Formation of
Volcanoes
•The Earth’s crust is composed of enormous
sections of rock called tectonic plates.
•Tectonic plates resemble puzzle pieces which
move constantly against each other.
•Volcanoes often form in the areas where tectonic
plates make contact. The friction created between
two plates by the constant movement melts the
Earth’s crust, causing the rock underneath the
crust to turn into magma due to the great
temperatures created by friction.
•The magma creates great pressure, and over
time, it finds its way through the fractures in the
plates.
•Once magma reaches the surface of the Earth, it is
called lava.
•Most divergent plate boundaries lie in the bottom
of the oceans which is why most volcanic activities
occur in the oceans
•Volcanoes may be formed at subduction zones - a
place where two plates, one oceanic plate and one
continental plate, collide.
•At a subduction zone, an oceanic plate submerges
under a continental plate. The friction creates
magma. When magma reaches the surface, then, a
volcano is formed. A typical example of this type of
volcano is Mount Etna on the east coast of Italy.
 Signs Before A
Volcanic Eruption
Volcanoes may give off several warning signs they
are about to blow beginning weeks or months
before they erupt.
These signs include :
1. Very small earthquakes beneath the
volcano
2. Slight inflation of the volcano
3. Increased emission of heat and gas from
vents of the volcano
4. Increases in the flow rate of sulfur dioxide
and carbon dioxide gases indicate that
magma is coming
 Volcanic Eruption and The
Pyroclastic Materials They
Give Off
•Volcanic eruptions happen when lava and gas are
discharged from a volcanic vent.
•Volcanic eruptions often cause temporary food
shortages and volcanic ash landslides called
Lahar.
•Volcanic eruption is the sudden occurrence of
a violent discharge of steam and volcanic material
•A volcanic eruption occurs when molten rock,
ash and steam pour through a vent in the earth's
crust.
•A volcanic eruption can cause disastrous loss of
life and property
 •There are many kinds of pyroclastic
material ejected during a volcanic
eruption like:
Ash
Volcanic ash is so fine
that it can be blown
into the atmosphere
and picked up by the
jet stream where it can
circle the Earth for
several years.
 Pumice

Pumice is light-
colored igneous rock
blown into the air in
a semi-liquid state.
The rock cools so
fast it does not have
time to crystallize.
 Lapili
Lapilli are pea-size to
walnut-sized pieces of
volcanic rock.
All types of lava
produces lapilli. Shield
volcanoes, cinder cones,
and composite volcanoes
all produce lapilli
 Lava Bombs

Lava bombs are

volcanic rocks larger
than 64 mm in size.
Lava bombs leave a
volcano vent as
glowing semi-molten
rock fragments.
 Lava Blocks
Lava blocks are large
pieces of rock blown
out of a volcano which
have angular shapes
and are solid. Some
lava blocks are pieces
of the volcano vent or
sides of the volcano
when it blows apart.
Effects/Aftermath of
Volcanic Eruptions
•Plants are destroyed over a wide area,
during an eruption. The good thing is that
volcanic soil is very rich, so once everything
cools off, plants can make a big comeback!

•Livestock and other mammals have been

killed by lava flows, pyroclastic
flows, tephra falls, atmospheric effects,
gases, and tsunami. They can also die from
famine, forest fires, and earthquakes caused
by or related to eruptions.
•Aquatic life can be affected by an increase
in acidity, increased turbidity, change in
temperature, and/or change in food supply.
These factors can damage or kill fish.

•Eruptions can influence bird migration,

roosting, flying ability, and feeding activity.

•Among the hazards in distant areas are the

effects of toxic volcanic ashes and problems
of the respiratory system, eyes and skin, as
well as psychological effects and injuries.
•Aquatic life can be affected by an increase
in acidity, increased turbidity, change in
temperature, and/or change in food supply.
These factors can damage or kill fish.

•Eruptions can influence bird migration,

roosting, flying ability, and feeding activity.

•Among the hazards in distant areas are the

effects of toxic volcanic ashes and problems
of the respiratory system, eyes and skin, as
well as psychological effects and injuries.
Staying Safe During a
Volcanic Eruption
•Listen to a local station on a portable, battery-
operated radio or television for updated
emergency information and instructions. Local
officials will give the most appropriate advice
for your particular situation.

•Follow any evacuation orders issued by

authorities, and put your emergency plan into
action. Although it may seem safe to stay at
home and wait out an eruption, if you are in a
hazard zone, doing so could be very dangerous.

•If indoors, close all window, doors, and

dampers to keep volcanic ash from entering.
•Put all machinery inside a garage or barn to
protect it from volcanic ash. If buildings are
not available, cover machinery with large
tarps.
•Bring animals and livestock into closed
shelters to protect them from breathing
volcanic ash.
If You Are Outdoors:
•Seek shelter indoors if possible.
• Stay out of designated restricted zones.
Effects of a volcanic eruption can be
experienced many miles from a volcano.
•Avoid low-lying areas, areas downwind of
the volcano, and river valleys downstream of
the volcano. Debris and ash will be carried
by wind and gravity. Stay in areas where you
will not be further exposed to volcanic
eruption hazards. Trying to watch an
erupting volcano up close is a deadly idea.
If you are caught in an ashfall:
1. Wear a dust mask designed to protect
against lung irritation from small particles.
2. Protect your eyes by wearing goggles.
Wear eyeglasses, not contact lenses.
3. Keep as much of your skin covered as
possible.
VOLCANIC EXPLOSITIVITY
INDEX (VEI)
The VEI determined by using one of more of the
following critieria: Volume of ejecta, Height of the
eruptive column, Qualitative descriptions
(“gentle”, “effusive”, “explosive”, “cataclysmic”,
etc.), Style of past activity, and Height of spreading
of the eruptive plume head (in troposphere or
stratosphere). The VEI numbers below
correspond with the following eruption
characteristics:
VOLCANO FACTS
 When Krakatoa, a volcano on the Indonesian
island of Rakata erupted, it released 200
megatrons of energy, the equivalent of 15,000
nuclear bombs. the explosions heard in the
eruption remain the loudest noise on human
record! The sound was heard across the Indian
Ocean as far away as Rodriguez Island and
Australia.
 Mauna Loa in Hawaii is the world’s
largest active volcano (4,169 meters).
 The “Ring of Fire”, a 40,000 km
Horseshoe shaped area of the Pacific
Ocean, is home to 90% of all
volcanoes on the Earth.
In A.D. 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted
in Pompeii, Italy. The ash deposits
preserved the town and the remains
of the people within it. You can still
see them today!
VIDEOS! VIDEOS!
VIDEOS!
THE END