The Aftermath of a Volcanic Eruption

When you stroll on the ground, you may be oblivious as to what lies under it. Yet during an earthquake, you would surely get a notion that something is going on under the earth you walk on. There is a lot of heat deep down inside the earth. The heat under the Earth's crust is most apparent when volcanoes erupt.

A lot of science books explain in detail the working of a volcanic eruption but what happens after the eruption? A volcanic eruption brings about many alterations in the overall surrounding. In all, this may either be helpful for the environment or disadvantageous. However, it is a natural disaster, and you cannot do anything to avoid its negative impacts.

Initially, it is the air that is affected by an eruption. All volcanoes may be different. While a few erupt with a great jolt, others may be quiet. With an eruption, a huge spell of gases fills the air. These gases (mainly includes carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane) are expelled into the atmosphere. All of these gases elevate the likelihood of an acid rain. With the eruption, tiny rock particles may be splurged into the air which occupy the space that was to be taken by gas particles.

Eventually, the air around the volcano is thick and smothering. Moreover, they have the ability to travel over long distances which makes them capable of taking these heavy volcanic gases all around the globe. Likewise, the ash particles in the air cause breathing disturbances in individuals. These ash particles form a thick layer on the locations in the surrounding. When these meet water, they form a mud-like mass which is tough to remove.

Changes in the landscape around a volcano are immense. When magma flows down, it takes everything along with it such as the trees, plants, animals, buildings and roads which come in the stream of this lava are burnt. When this lava solidifies, a hard rock forms on the surface and if it rains after the eruption, the water and wind will result in weathering of this rock and this will eventually become a fertile soil.

Plants, animals and humans are also influenced by the eruption. However, humans and animals are capable of surviving the changes. The ash is tolerable until it is hot or it lies on the food. However, problem arrives when ash impedes water. The danger is not only done to the aquatic life, but also to other animals and humans as water is the necessary element they need to live. In all, a volcanic eruption does much damage to the whole ecosystem, yet luckily, neither does the eruption nor the effects of the volcano last long. Thus, it is not tough to survive after an eruption.