Impact of volcano eruptions on people
Volcanic eruptions are a hazard to people due to lava which is very hot, poisonous gas and ash emitted during the eruption.
Lava flows burn and bury everything that comes in the way. However, people rarely get killed due to lava flows as they can get time to escape.
Volcanic ash can destroy many things as they are made of small particles. People and animals may die by lack of oxygen caused by ash clouds and ash rain.
Volcanic gas is poisonous and kills people and animals. Carbon dioxide is perhaps one of the most dangerous gases because it is invisible and it kills people or animal in minutes.
Pyroclastic flows are mixtures of hot gas, ash and volcanic rocks travelling very quickly down the slopes of volcanoes. They are so hot and choking that if one is caught in a pyroclastic flow they will certainly get killed.
Scientists have estimated that at least 200,000 persons have lost their lives as a result of volcanic eruptions during the last 500 years.
People can get used to living near a volcano. People set up homes on slopes of volcanoes because of the rich, fertile soil. These rich and fertile soil, create jobs and strengthen the economy in these areas for example, in Naples a very special grape is grown that produces finest wine in the world, in Hawaii the soil is good for farming.