Volcanoes - Case Studies

Question 1

Why do people live near Sakurajima?

Answer 1

40% of land surrounding is fertile volcanic soil - grow tea and rice
Hot springs and lava attract tourists
Whole area is a national park

Question 2

What are the economic effects of living near Sakurajima?

Answer 2

Ash obscures road markings and costs 200 million yen a year being cleared up
Ash collection provides jobs

Question 3

What are the social effects of living near Sakurajima?

Answer 3

Volcanic gases (sulphur dioxide) cause death in extreme cases
Ash is slippery when wet
Respiratory illnesses from ash exposure
Residents collect ash from property and leave at collection site

Question 4

What are the environmental effects of living near Sakurajima?

Answer 4

Ash damaged crops and kills fish in fish farms
Volcanic gases cause acid rain
Ash dumped into compacted ash landfill sites and harbour reclamation

Question 5

What prediction techniques do they have to warn them of an eruption in Japan?

Answer 5

Aircraft measured gas released
Seismometers monitor earthquakes - rise equals eruption
Tilt metres detect filling of lava
Boreholes measure temp of water
Hot springs closely monitored

Question 6

What management techniques do they have for eruptions in Japan?

Answer 6

Concrete Lahar tunnels divert mudflow from towns
Shelters made from concrete fro protection
Regular evacuation drills
Clearly signposted evacuation routes
Insurance for eruptions

Question 7

What kind of volcano is Nyiragongo in Democratic Republic of Congo?

Answer 7

Shield volcano (wide base and gentle slopes)

Question 8

What were the economic effects of Nyiragongo’s eruption?

Answer 8

Earthquakes collapse buildings
UN sent 260 tonnes of food in first week
$35 million donated worldwide
Emergency measles vaccinations
Months before people could rebuild

Question 9

What were the social effects of Nyiragongo’s eruption?

Answer 9

100 people dead
12500 homes destroyed
14 villages destroyed
12 000 homeless

Question 10

What were the environmental effects of Nyiragongo’s eruption?

Answer 10

Little clean water caused cholera to spread rapidly

Question 11

Describe the volcano Sakurajima in Japan?

Answer 11

Composite volcano (steep sided made of layers of lava and ash)
Over 1000 metres high
Dangerous and explosive