Lecture 4 - Volcanoes and Humanity

Question 1

Describe the Lake Toba Eruption.

Answer 1

-Crater lake in Sumatra, Indonesia
-Supervolcano (VEI 8)
-74,000 years ago, producing the largest eruption in 2 million years
-3000km cubed of ash and rock was ejected
-Dust and sulphurous gases cooled the Earth for over 1000 years, nearly wiping out H.sapiens

Question 2

Describe the Mt. Tambora Eruption.

Answer 2

-Located in South-East Indonesia
-Erupted 5-10th April 1815 (VEI 7)
-It was the perfect storm; occurred during a solar minimum and Europe was just recovering from the Napoleonic wars
-The following year, global temperatures dropped by nearly 1C which caused food shortages and famine across Europe

Question 3

Describe the Vesuvius Eruption.

Answer 3

-Erupted 24th August, 79AD
-Deadliest in European History despite only being a VEI 5
-At least 2000 dead in Pompeii but over 18,000 escaped

Question 4

Describe the Krakatau Eruption.

Answer 4

-Erupted in August of 1883 on Java, Indonesia
-Bang from the eruption was heard in India, Africa and Australia
-VEI 6
-Volcano tore itself apart, destroying 70% of the island
-36,000 deaths locally
-Accounts of the eruption by Rogier Verbeek gave birth to modern volcanology

Question 5

What are the Benefits of Living near Volcanoes?

Answer 5

-Geothermal energy
-Tourism (e.g. Iceland)
-Produces some of the most fertile soils on Earth (rich in K, Fe and P)
-Source of mineral resources, e.g. diamond, gold, zinc, copper, aluminium and nickel

Question 6

What are the Dangers of Living near Volcanoes?

Answer 6

-500 deaths per year are caused by volcanic eruptions
-Poses natural hazards, e.g. pyroclastic density currents, lava flows, lahars and toxic gases