In a deformation zone the area where the plates meet is being crushed and pushed upwards. It happens when the two plates are almost equal in weight. Instead of one plate being pushed down under the other, they smash into each other, causing the edges to rise upwards. It is very similar to two cars crashing together, head-on. As they hit each other, the front ends crumple, and lift upwards. In this type of boundary huge mountain ranges are formed. The best example of this is the Himalayan Mountains. They were formed when the Indian Plate crashed into the European Plate. The two are still being forced into each other, and the Himalayan Mountains are slowly becoming taller.
Transverse Boundaries
The last type of boundary is neither spreading nor colliding. The edges are sliding past each other, sideways. As they slide past each other they cause a huge crack in the surface of the earth. This crack is known as a fault line. Probably the best-known example of this is the San Andreas Fault, which is found in Western California. As they slide past each other they sometimes cause earthquakes. Areas with fault lines have more frequent earthquakes than other places.
Where do volcanoes occur?
Volcanoes usually occur on the edges of plates, similar to where earthquakes occur. A lot of volcanoes occur in the area around the edge of the Pacific Ocean called the Pacific Ring of Fire. Volcanoes can also occur in the middle of plates, in hotspots. One such hotspot has formed the Hawaiian Islands chain. As the earth rotated, it passed over the hotspot and new islands were formed.
Why do Volcanoes occur?
Volcanoes occur when the Earth's plates pull apart causing magma to rise to the surface. Volcanoes can also occur over hotspots and where one plate dives beneath another, forcing magma to rise to the surface. Plates’ diving under one another is known as Subduction.
Why do people choose to live near volcanoes?
Here are some of the main reasons for why people live near volcanoes:
- People have settled near danger zones before they understood the risks they could face (we did not know about plates until 1960’s). Once the people have settled it is difficult for them to move, especially as some of the settlements have grown into enormous cities like Mexico and Tokyo. Where can all these people go now?
- Some people often think that disasters only happen to other people. They ignore all the dangers that could happen to them and get on with life.
- Many people are too poor to move and even after a disaster they prefer to return to the life they know best.
- Some people have good jobs, which helps them in a danger zone.
- Some people live in a place, which is well prepared for earthquakes e.g. California and Japan. This makes people feel much more safer and so they decide to stay.
Advantages of an erupted volcano
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of living near a volcano:
Good soil
When lava breaks down it gives very fertile soil. On Mt Etna, farmers grow rich crops of grapes and other fruit. In Java and Japan they grow rice. These farms become very successful and become a profitable business.
Money from tourism
Volcanic areas attract tourists, and tourists spend money! They flock to visit Mount Fuji, Mount Etna and the volcanoes of Iceland. Therefore many jobs and facilities are available on the area, so the area around the volcano becomes an attractive and useful place to stay.
Geothermal energy
In some volcanic areas water is pumped down onto the hot rocks. It comes back as steam. This is used to heat homes or to drive turbines for making electricity.
Valuable materials
Copper, gold, silver and lead are found in the remains of extinct volcanoes.
Fossil fuels
Lush vegetables turn into coal its berried deep in the earth by plate movements. In the same way Dead Sea animals turn into oil and gas.
How people prepare themselves for volcanic eruption
People prepare themselves for a volcanic eruption by firstly making plans before the eruption occurs, they don’t usually have a lot of time, so people must act quickly. To give people a warning well in advance the volcano is frequently monitored with different kinds of hi-tech equipment like seismometers that detect earthquakes and tilt meters that detect changes in the slope of the volcano, this way they may be able to predict the time of the eruption. Also, places are set up for the homeless that become victims of the eruption; food, water and warm blankets are brought to them as soon as possible. Many Doctors and emergency hospital facilities are bought to the scene with gas marks and forms of transport (e.g. helicopters), so that the people can be carried safely to a ‘safe zone’ (which is already marked out).
Conclusion
How successful are people in an active area?
People living near an active area become easy targets for the volcano as it can erupt at any point, but with our high-tech technology, we are able to predict this before it causes too much damage and prepare everyone for the dangers that are to come. Even if they are able to evacuate, they can still lose homes and possessions, and have a devastating effects on their lives.
However it can have its advantages, people can use the natural resources a volcano offers to help them with their daily lives e.g. the soil to grow crops and the hot steamy water for electricity. The area surrounding a volcano can also be made pleasant with tourism. Good jobs can be found in many ways and a lot of profit can be made, if the area is used successfully.
Researchers and scientists have also made use of the active areas by discovering more information on a volcano, some are even fascinated about the magnificent explosions and are always on the look out for the next big eruption.
As you can see many people have made different uses from active areas and have become successful in different ways. Special warning systems are able to prepare people in advance, so they can be safely evacuated from the area. However, Living near a volcano can be a threat to your life and at the end of the day it comes down to a person’s own opinion and whether they are willing to make use of the facilities that are offered, but still be aware of the risks they are taking.
