Warning Sign
Volcanic ash and dust are formed as gases that have expanded in the rising of the magma in the volcanic vent. The ash is less than 2 millimeters in diameter. Volcanic dust has about the same consistency as flour, and can travel far from an erupting volcano. Ash falls from continued explosive jetting of fine volcanic particles into high ash cloudsand generally do not cause any direct fatalities. However, where the ash accumulates more than a few centimeters, collapsing roofs and failure of crops are major secondary hazards. Crop failure can occur over large areas downwind from major ash eruptions, and widespread famine and disease may result, especially in poorly developed countries. In the long run, however, the decomposition of the nutrient-rich volcanic fallout is responsible for some of the world’s best soils.
Gases that come from volcanoes are responsible for about 3% of all volcano related deaths between 1900 and 1986. Some of the gases that will kill a human are acidic corrosion and others were killed by asphyxiation. Carbon dioxide is released from volcanoes accounting for nearly 1% of the anuual global warming total.
Some of the gases that are released during an eruption include:
1. H20 (70%)
2. CO2 (15%)
3. N2 and nitrogen compunds (5%)
4. Sulfur compunds (H2S, SO4, SO2, etc.) (5%)
5. Minor amounts of CI, H2, Ar, etc.
* No free oxygen*
The amount of gases vary significantly from volcano to volcano. Water vapor is consistently the most common volcanic gas, which normally is 60% of the total emissions. Carbon dioxide typically accounts for 10 to 40% of the emissions. Depending on the volcano location it will factor into the emission percentages. Volcanoes located at convergent plate boundaries will emit more water vapor and chlorine than volcanoes at hot spots or divergent plate boundaries.
Gases that come from volcanoes are responsible for about 3% of all volcano related deaths between 1900 and 1986. Some of the gases that will kill a human are acidic corrosion and others were killed by asphyxiation. Carbon dioxide is released from volcanoes accounting for nearly 1% of the anuual global warming total.
Some of the gases that are released during an eruption include:
1. H20 (70%)
2. CO2 (15%)
3. N2 and nitrogen compunds (5%)
4. Sulfur compunds (H2S, SO4, SO2, etc.) (5%)
5. Minor amounts of CI, H2, Ar, etc.
* No free oxygen*
The amount of gases vary significantly from volcano to volcano. Water vapor is consistently the most common volcanic gas, which normally is 60% of the total emissions. Carbon dioxide typically accounts for 10 to 40% of the emissions. Depending on the volcano location it will factor into the emission percentages. Volcanoes located at convergent plate boundaries will emit more water vapor and chlorine than volcanoes at hot spots or divergent plate boundaries.