Link between Plate Tectonics and Volcanoes: Analytical Essay

Intro

This report will explain the link between plate tectonics and volcanos. This report covers what is a volcano? What are plate tectonics? How plate tectonics relate to volcanos, how volcanos impact the environment and human population, actions taken to minimise damage, information on David A. Johnston and the work they have done on volcanos and finally technology used to research, predict and detect volcanos.

What are Volcanos?

A volcano is a breakage in the crust of Earth, which allows hot lava, volcanic ash and gasses to escape from a magma chamber below the surface (NSTA, 2007).

What are plate tectonics?

Plate tectonics is a scientific theory describing the large-scale motion of seven large plates and the large number of small plates of the earth’s lithospheres that glide over the mantel and rocky inner layer above the core (Robert J. Stern, 2002). Plate tectonics explain the features and movement of Earths surface (Oskin. B, 2017) How plate tectonics and volcanos relate Volcanos result from the movement of plate tectonics. When plates are pushed together or pulled apart, volcanos are created which is why they tend to occur where there has been an earthquake (Study, N/A). Referring to the illustration down below you can see that a huge quantity of the volcanos are located where earthquakes have occurred. When two crust converge, they can cause volcanos. For example, The Continental Crust and the Old crust collide, the crust which is denser, the old crust in this case, will slope under the less dense crust the Continental Crust and go in a downward motion and eventually molten rock will start to rise to the surface causing volcanos over millions of years. Commonly volcanos tend to occur along the plate tectonics which is due to the vast quantities of earthquakes from the plates moving and colliding.

The illustration below shows that majority of the earthquakes and volcanos are located along the plate tectonics. An area that this has happened to is between the Eurasian Plate, Philippine Plate and Pacific Plate (Slideshare, 2015). Why are there volcanos in places where there aren’t any major Plate Tectonics? Volcanos can occur over areas called “mantle plumes”. Mantle plumes are incredibly hot areas of rock inside the earth (National Geographic Kids, N/A). A hot spot develops above the plume. Magma generated by the hot spot rises through ridged plates of the lithosphere and produces active volcanos (OSU, N/A).

How do volcanos impact the environment?

Climate Volcanos can have both a cooling and warming effect on the atmosphere. When a volcano erupts, it produces a mixture of gases and particles into the air. Some of them. Such as ash and sulphur dioxide have a cooling effect because the substances reflect sunlight away from each other. Others like CO2 cause a warming effect due to adding to the greenhouse effect (N/A, 2011).

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Plants

When a volcano erupts plants are destroyed over a large area. The short-term affect is rather disastrous and damaging. Fortunately, volcanic soil is rich so once the eruption is over and cooled down plants come back efficiently. The long-term effect of an eruption is often quite small (OSU, N/A).

How do volcanos impact the Human population?

The effect on the human population can be destructive. The eruption of a volcano causes damage and destruction to buildings, roads and fields. When the ashfall is heavy it can make it impossible to breathe causing deaths. Fortunately, lava flow is often to slow to run people over, but infrastructure is ruined. The gases released can be dangerous to those with raspatory problems (OSU, N/A). Actions taken to minimise damage to property in the event of a volcano erupting If infrastructure is in range of lava coming in contact with it there is nothing that can be done to save the house or building. If a house is built on stilts made out of titanium or tungsten it may be able to survive as long as the stilts are strong enough to withstand the flow of lava. Due to the temperature of lava it often will melt or ignite most things (Falconer.S, N/A). Airborne ash is often heavy enough to cause infrastructure to collapse. Two possible solutions to this is to remove the ash preferably well still wet or reinforce the roof (OSU, N/A).

Actions taken to minimise loss of life in the event of a volcano erupting A lot of what’s done to minimise loss of life is the preparation of individuals. An important aspect is to be informed about how to react if a volcano erupts. Some safety tips would be, stay away as far as possible from the volcano, if you live near an active volcano keep goggles and a mask, an emergency kit, as well as a flashlight and a battery-operated radio and know your evacuation root and keep gas in the car. If a volcano has erupted in your area it is important to know the evacuation root recommended by authorities, avoid rivers and low-lying areas, wear long sleeve clothing and hold a damp cloth over your face. If you are not evacuating, make your home air-tight and keep ash off the roof. If driving ash may damage metal parts of the car so drive below 56 km/h. (National Geographic, N/A).

A way that a country could contribute to minimise the loss of live is to closely monitor volcanos and signs of eruption and have those in the danger zone evacuate in advance of the eruption. A scientific and technological advance that has been very important over the last 50 years in helping to understand and protect ourselves from these disasters Seismometers have been a fabulous technological advance. A seismometer is an instrument that responds to ground movement from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and explosions (USGS, N/A). A seismometer is capable of detecting rock movement in the Earths crust. Many rock movements are associated with the rise of magma beneath an awakening volcano (N/A, 2009). Seismometers help us to understand volcanos by showing patterns seen in volcanos before eruption. They help us to protect ourselves by providing information that could indicate a volcano is going to erupt. For example, the movement of magma produces small earthquakes which increases the chances of a volcano erupting (Intelecom, 1992).

A scientist that worked on volcanos Someone Who works on volcanos is called a Volcanologist. David A. Johnston was a Volcanologist. David A. Johnston lived from 1949 to 1980. He was killed by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington while manning an observation post 10km away (Spokane, Wash, 1980). David A. Johnston’s work took him all over the United states where he studied the Augustine Volcano in Alaska, the San Juan Volcanic field in Colorado and the long-extinct volcanos in Michigan. David A. Johnston was known for his analysis of Volcanic gases and their relationship with eruptions (Daily News, 1995). In late 1978 David A. Johnston helped strengthen the theory that eruptions can be predicted (Lipman and Mullineaux, 1982). In the last year of his life David A. Johnston developed an interest of the effect’s volcanos caused on the environment and atmosphere. David A. Johnston did his work to further improve the knowledge on volcanos by contributing to data (Lipman. P and Mullineaux. D, 1981). David A. Johnston didn’t personally make any discovery’s, but he contributed enormously to data studies and theories. David A. Johnston monitored and observed multiple volcanos, he contributed to the theory that eruptions can be predicted, he monitored volcanic emissions and focused on the fundamental role of gases (Lipman and Mullineaux, 1982). David A. Johnston’s work was useful due to the fact that his data and observations provide information on volcanos and especially on volcanic emissions. Due to his contributions and being named “An exemplary scientist” by a USGS dedication paper David A. Johnston’s contribution and opinion on theory’s made an impact.

Technology used by scientists and government agencies to research, predict and detect volcanos

Monitoring volcanos uses a large verity of techniques and equipment. Monitoring a volcano includes several types of observations (ground movement, volcanic gases, rock chemistry, water chemistry, remote satellite analysis). Some equipment used is seismic monitors. Seismic monitors measure the intensity, escalation and epicentres of an earthquake. Thermal imagers. Thermal Imagers show which lava flow is hotter thus newer. Global positioning satellite, Electronic distance measurement and standard level instrument measure changes in a volcanos ground formation. Gas samples. Gas samples tell scientists what’s happening beneath the surface of the volcano based on the gas it is emitting. Rader mapping. Rader instruments used for mapping are carried by planes or satellites, they provide three dimensional maps of the volcanos surface. Using these images, it helps Volcanologists to predict flow patterns of magma or mudslides (Baczewski. S, 2017). Conclusion Plate tectonics shifting and moving is the cause of most volcanos. Volcanos impact the environment and the human population both positively but mainly negatively. There are actions that can be taken to reduce damage and loss of life. David A. Johnston did research and observed and collected data on volcanos. There are forms of technology that are used to observe volcanos.