Volcanoes. When they erupt, hell is unleashed.
They can erupt in many ways, from pyroclastic ash flows to lava rolling down its slopes. But they all have one thing in common: They cause death and destruction and can cause a huge amount of damage, from infrastructure to environmental damage.
Here are 5 damages that volcanoes can cost.
1. Disrupt air travel
The ashes of volcanic eruptions can accumulate very high up in the sky and spread in all directions. The ash, being tiny particles, are scattered across in high altitudes where planes usually fly. The volcanic ash is dangerous to the airplane’s engine and can damage the equipment, endangering the passengers and crew. It can also cause a huge amount of money to repair the damaged engine.
Better safe than sorry, airlines prefer to keep their planes on the ground. This, in turn, causes air travel disruption.
2. Collapse roofs
The ash from the volcano falls and lands on the roads, roofs, and land. While the ash is light, when they accumulate specifically at one point, they become heavy, especially if they fall on roofs and bridges. When they accumulate, they weigh up to 90KG – giving way for roofs to collapse, killing and injuring people. When your roof is in need of repair, it is important to find the best local roof contractor to help you fix the issue. The best roof contractor will have experience in repairing roofs and will be able to provide you with a quality repair.
3. Ashy lungs
Volcanic ash are tiny and very fine particles that can easily enter the lungs if breathed without wearing masks. However, breathing them in without a mask can cause massive damage to your body. They are very harmful because they contain aerosols and poisonous gas. It can cause lung impairment from the volcanic particles, sore throat, and bronchitis. Eye symptoms include it becoming itchy, bloodshot and even conjunctivitis.
4. Tsunamis
Volcanoes in the sea are particularly prone to collapse into the sea, causing tsunamis to the nearest land. This is because the weighing of the magma causes the slope to collapse into the sea. And that amount is not small, approximately hundreds od cubic square km square are deposited into the ocean.
It can cause massive tsunamis and numerous volcanic tsunamis have happened in the past. Among them is the 1883 Krakatoa tsunami, in which 36,000 people died from the tsunami.
5. Lahar flows
When volcanic ash is mixed with water, it becomes a deadly mix. This is the case when fast-flowing pyroclastic flow meets rain and rivers. What it becomes is a fast-flowing lahar flow that can destroy bridges, cause massive flooding, and infrastructural damage. It doesn’t end there, once the dust has settled, the mudflow hardens, making it harder for it be broken.
Various examples have shown the deadly effect of mudflows. Among them is the 1991 Pinatubo eruption, where the eruption in June coincided with a typhoon. Approximately 100,000 people had their homes destroyed, and the lahar traveled at 80km/hour, destroying infrastructure, farmland, and houses.
Header Image : France 24
