What are the benefits of volcanoes?
Volcanoes can be a real threat to humans and crops, but they also provide many benefits. They help regulate the carbon cycle by releasing sulfur dioxide and other gases that are essential to life on Earth. They can also create geothermal energy, which is a renewable and carbon-neutral source of electricity.
They are important for preserving life and ecosystems on our planet by providing refuge for plants. They can even have a positive effect on climate change as they release sulfur dioxide which prevents the global warming caused by greenhouse gases.
Ash from volcanic eruptions can make land more fertile.
A volcano can emit up to 20cm of ash during an eruption, which is enough for plants to grow faster than they would in the absence of the ash. This ash can be used as a fertilizer by farmers, especially in water-poor regions.
The ash is rich in a number of minerals, including potassium and calcium. It is also enriched with trace elements such as selenium, cadmium and cobalt.
This ash can also be recycled by farmers who spread it on their farmland to add more nutrients to the soil and store excess carbon. Scientists have proposed using this process as a way to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
It is important to have an evacuation plan in case a volcano erupts nearby, and to practice it in advance. It is also a good idea to know your local warning system so you can avoid being caught unprepared.