INTRODUCTION
why do people live near volcanoes?!
CASE STUDY 1: montserrat
Our first Volcanic Case Study is the beautiful island of Montserrat in the Caribbean. It was an idyllic holiday paradise until 1995 when, after 300 years, the islands volcano erupted.
Montserrat is a small island in the Caribbean. There is a volcanic area located in the south of the island on Soufriere Hills called Chances Peak. Before 1995 it had been DORMANT for over 300 years.
In 1995 the volcano began to give off warning signs of an eruption:
During this time, Montserrat was devastated by pyroclastic flows. The small population of the island (11,000 people) was EVACUATED (Moved from the danger zone) in 1995 to the north of Montserrat as well as to neighbouring islands and the UK. Despite the evacuations, 19 people were killed by the eruptions as a small group of people chose to stay behind to watch over their crops. Volcanic eruptions and lahars have destroyed large areas of Montserrat. The capital, Plymouth, has been covered in layers of ash and mud. Many homes and buildings have been destroyed, including the only hospital, the airport and many roads. |
what action was taken?
short term action
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long term action
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weblink: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/natural_hazards/volcanoes_rev6.shtml
CASE STUDY 2: MOUnT PINATUBO (Philippines)
Our Second Case study is in the Philippines in Asia. Like Montserrat, Mount Pinatubo has been a dormant volcano for hundreds of years. However in 1991 it erupted in the second biggest eruption of the 20th Century. Up to 800 people were killed and more than 100,000 made homeless. The ash was so thick that it affected global temperatures for the next few years!
In June 1991 Mount Pinatubo began to erupt causing immense danger for the people nearby.
Thankfully, this volcano is a good example of how warning signs can be followed and eruptions predicted. Ash and steam had been spotted coming out of the volcano and other signs spotted Up to 75,000 people had been evacuated. Yet the force of the eruption still claimed the lives of up to 700 people Up to 100,000 were left homeless and many peoples livelihoods had been wiped out. |
short term effects
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long term effects
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