How do volcanoes benefit the world, and how do they harm it?

Question

I want some help for school, and plus, im interested in this. how DOES it harm us besides killing ppl with the lava and burrying ppl in ash (like Vesuvius)?

Answer 1

Have you ever watched a pot of boiling water? Notice that bubbles seem to form on one particular spot, a hot spot. This is an example of how the Hawaiian islands developed. Volcanoes also develop along the boundaries of tectonic plates. I would consider the oceans a benefit and the air we breath as a benefit of volcanoes. Volcanoes are created by heat generated from radioactive decay from inside the earth and gravitational forces from the sun and moon.

These forces and heat causes a stirring effect. Earthquakes and volcanoes (ever notice they occur in the same tectonic area) along with submerging (pushing together) and diverging (pulling apart) of tectonic plates?

To answer the question, heat caused by radioactive decay causes volcanoes causes deposits of heavy metals and minerals that would otherwise sink to the center of the earth to explode onto the surface of the earth with great joy, lots of gases and sometimes destruction. The result is the carbon based body that you and the rest of us call home. The computer you use to read this could not be possible without the help of the force.

Is this force that created us the result of chaos or the result of a creator? Is it possible for a 747 to spew forth from the mouth of a volcano by random chance?

Answer 2

Hi Claire, Well to answer you question look at it this way

Benefits without volcanoes to release earth's pressures we would explode...it is like us we have to pass wind, and same with earthquakes...considering earths core is molten lava.

Harm it desolates whole areas but on the other hand it creates more land..eg Hawaiian Islands

The fallout can pollute the air ,if all the Ring of fire volcanoes were to erupt at the same time it would blanket the earth with volcanic ash/dust.

This would cause a prolonged winter whereby the sun would have no effect and we would go same way as dinosaurs....♥

Answer 3

Pro-Beautiful scenary to promote tourism
Fertile soil to allow farmers to grow crops
Crystals and minerals formed near volcanic areas
Cons-Houses and buildings destroyed
People die and left with many homeless people
Air pollution:smoke produced from volcano can damage
people's respiratory system and causes air pollution

Answer 4

Sulfur dioxide launched into the stratosphere reflects sunlight and can trigger severe weather conditions. Explosive erruptions can trigger tsunamis, killing people thousands of miles away.

Benefits include formation of new land with rich soil, and generation of gasses that replenish the atmosphere. Geothermal energy can be utilized in volcanic regions.

Answer 5

Hi. Well for one thing they formed the Hawaiian Islands. They left a layer of ash in Idaho where potatoes grow well.

Answer 6

benefit- it's a slow process, but, they create new land. the Hawaiian islands are an example.

harm- eruptions destroy towns, forests, etc. nearby. they also can put toxic substances into the air.

Answer 7

volcanoes can fertilize the soil,can create hot basins and many more
it is also destructive like it can bury peoples lives,canit can bury houses

Answer 8

Here are some sites that may help you:

Benefits
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/PlusSide/framework.html
http://members.aol.com/ckckside/reports/volcanoes/vol8.htm
http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/volcanoes.htm

Harmful Effects
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Hazards/What/hazards.html
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/group4_new.html

Answer 9

http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312395/Benefits.htm

this site explains its benefits