Mt Galeras, Nario, Colombia

Coordinates: 1.22N 77.37W Mt Galeras is a stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes have steep side. They have more than one kind of Magma. There are lots of vents around these types of volcanoes. They are also known as one of the most picturesque volcanoes. However they are also on of the deadliest. These volcanoes erupt lava, pyroclastic flows and lava domes. There is a very straightforward reason for its eruption. Galeras is on the South American plate, which is a continental plate. The Nazca plate, which is an oceanic plate, is near to the South American plate. Since oceanic plates are far heavier than continental plates, the Nazca plate is more likely to be sub duct into the South American Plate. This process is called subduction. When this happens the mantel starts to get hot until the mantel melts. This will cause magma plumes to rise up till the volcano. (There is a drawing to this, showing the main features of a volcanic eruption of its type) Volcanic eruptions dont always have negative effects they also have positive effects. However, sadly to say there are more negative effects than positive effects. Social & Economic effects Volcanoes are known as dangerous mountains. Lava flows from the volcanoes can kill people and burn houses, chlorine and sulphur dioxide which came from the gases emitted during volcanic eruption are extremely harmful to the earth and its environment and last but not least people are often left homeless after the volcanic eruption, some of the richer people can rebuilt their houses easily after the volcanic eruption. People who lived

near to the have a greater risk than the people who live outside the high-risk zone. People who lived near the volcano have a really good reason. The soil is more fertile or fresh near the volcano. People take this chance to plant their flowers or do farming. This is one of the beauties or positives things that come from the volcano. There are also other positive effects like, minerals; diamonds and most of the earths valuable resources are formed by volcanic eruptions. Physical effects The good thing about volcanoes is they form the first life on earth. The lava flows forms the land. But of course, some things need to be cleared for new formations to take place. It is the cycle of life. However there are also bad things about volcanic eruptions. Volcanic ash can prevent sunlight rays to pass through the atmosphere, which can cause global cooling; it can cause breathing problems and form more severe eruption. There are some ways in order to minimize the negative effects form a volcanic eruption. One way to limit the hazards is to predict eruptions that will come in the future. When a prediction is made the people can evacuate before the eruption will happen. Or dont even dare to live near a volcano.