Why do farmers plant crops on the slopes of volcanoes?

Question

Although living near a volcano may be dangerous, farmers in many countries plant crops on the slopes of volcanoes. Why? I don't get it.

Answer 1

It's a combination of several factors. Firstly, relative to many other rocks (sandstones, limestones, etc.), volcanic rocks are rich in the chemical elements needed by plants ("nutrients"). Secondly, volcanic rocks are really susceptible to weathering relative to other rocks. The volcanic rocks contain many minerals that are chemically reactive when in contact with mildly acidic rainwater (rainwater is always acidic to a certain degree, due to dissolved carbon dixoxide that forms carbonic acid). Also, the small particle size of volcanic ash gives it a large surface area to react with the acidic rainwater. Put these two factors together and you have a recipe for the very rapid weathering of volcanic rocks. They break down rapidly leaving very nutrient-rich soils that are great for agriculture.

Answer 2

In many places, the soil is depleted of nutrients, and land cleared for farming does not have many for very long. The soil from volcanic deposits is extremely fertile in comparison, so that is where the farmers plant. Not many volcanoes are active all the time, so people consider it worth the risk.

There are ~3 million people living within the lava flow path of Mt Ranier in the US and they are not even all farmers. People live where they either have to or want to. A volcano that has not erupted in 120 years is perhaps less of a risk than a river floodplain that replenishes nutrients yesrly through widespread spring flooding.

Answer 3

I understand the soil is very fertile on the slopes of volcanos.

Answer 4

When a volcano erupts, it spews out ash and lava, obviously. What is not known for the most part is that once the ash settles and sits for a period of time, it becomes a very mineral and nuetrient rich topsoil.

Answer 5

Weyerhauser harvests timber at the foot of volcanoes. People live around them in the US. We hike them, build cabins up there. It's not "many countries."

Answer 6

Many volcanic soils are newer and fertile. Of course it don't forget the poverty factor a lot of folks do not have a choice.

Answer 7

soil made up of Lava is very rich in nutrients.
hence farmer take advantage of favourable
condition for crops.

Answer 8

because its very fertile there, and the benifits are great, sure if it erupts you lose the crop, but the same would happen at the base anyways, so the risk is about the same.

Answer 9

The soils are very rich and plants grow well in them.

Answer 10

volcanic soil is extremely fertile, thus producing quick bountiful crops.