Volcanoes are one of the most interesting things in nature. Most of the time, people love them for their beauty and wonder, like how the cone of the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines is perfectly formed and how Mt. Fiji in Japan looks like a monster.
Volcanoes are almost as beautiful as mountains, except that when they erupt, they cause a lot of damage. Volcanoes are also mountains, but they are different because the geothermal activity inside them is still going on and can sometimes cause damage.
Volcanoes come in two different types. One is sleeping and not moving. These volcanoes look just like regular mountains and don't erupt. The other kind are the active volcanoes that sometimes erupt and cause damage.
Most of the world's volcanoes are in special zones that are centred around the Pacific Ocean. The area around the Pacific is called the "Pacific Ring of Fire" because of this.
Countries around the Pacific Ocean, like Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Zealand, are home to some of the most dangerous volcanoes. Hawaii and other Pacific islands are also full of volcanic materials.
Volcanic eruptions
Over the years, people have seen how dangerous volcanoes can be. When volcanoes erupt, they send out raging, molten lava that has destroyed many homes and killed many people.
Volcanic eruptions often happen at the same time as big, destructive earthquakes, making the disaster even worse. Mudflows can also happen when it rains over a volcano's crater that is about to erupt.
Preparing for volcanic eruptions
Volcanic eruptions don't happen all at once, which is a good thing. That's because it would take a volcano a while to build up enough lava to make an eruption happen.
Before a volcano erupts, there are often signs that need to be watched. Locals and people who lived close by could also tell when an eruption is about to happen.
So, volcanologists and seismologists would be able to tell people about a volcano's eruption days or even months before it happens. The advice would be a sign not to do something.
When a warning is given to a certain area, people are expected to do what they need to do to keep from dying in the coming disaster.
Here are some emergency safety tips that could help you get ready for an eruption of a volcano.
- Get out of your house right away if it's within a few kilometres of the volcano. You can choose to take your stuff with you or leave it.
When a volcano is about to erupt, it is normal for there to be earthquakes, so don't get scared. Instead, go ahead and take the safety measures.
! Sudden rain, especially in the volcano's crater, would cause a sudden mudflow. The mud isn't like other mud. It could have pieces of rock from before a volcano erupted, and it could be so hot that an egg could be hard-boiled in it. Be careful, or you could get burned by a mudflow.
When the volcano finally blows, it might send pieces of ash into the air. Be ready to see rocks and small stones coming out of the crater and falling down. So, get somewhere safe to stay during the eruption.
- Get gas masks ready, because the sulphur that is released when a volcano erupts can cause a bad smell. During a volcanic eruption, you might not be able to breathe normally or you might even die.
Lava is the most important part of the eruption. It is also the most dangerous thing a volcano will release when it erupts. It is made of very hot mud that can burn anything in an instant. Stay away from the lava.
- After the eruption, wait until volcanologists tell you it's safe to go back home.
Volcanoes are one of the most destructive things in the world. If you live near an active volcano, you should be ready for it to erupt. There's no need for you to move. All you have to do is take precautions when the volcano shows signs that it is about to blow.
