identify only two major volcanic hazards, and explain how they affect the environment

Answer 1

Two major volcanic hazards are lava flows and ashfall.

1. Lava Flows: Lava flows are streams of molten rock that emerge from a volcano during an eruption. They can destroy everything in their path, including vegetation, infrastructure, and habitats. The intense heat of lava can also alter landscapes, creating new landforms and potentially changing waterways. The immediate area may become uninhabitable, leading to loss of flora and fauna, as well as displacement of human populations. Over the long term, the cooling and solidification of lava can create new soil, which may eventually support new ecosystems.

2. Ashfall: Volcanic ash is composed of small fragments of rock and glass that are expelled during an eruption. Ash can blanket areas far from the eruption site, leading to respiratory health issues for humans and animals, and potentially causing crop damage due to its weight and toxic composition. Ashfall can contaminate water supplies and disrupt air travel, affecting both local and global economies. Environmentally, it can lead to significant changes in soil chemistry, which may initially hinder plant growth but can also enhance soil fertility over time as the ash breaks down.