Reasons for Living in Hazardous Areas
● Despite the dangers, people still live in hazard-prone areas
○ 8% out of 7 billion people in the world live near volcanoes
○ 50% out of 320 million people in the USA live at risk of earthquakes
● Reasons include:
○ Geothermal energy
○ Farming
○ Mining
○ Tourism
○ Family and friends
Geothermal energy:
● Geothermal energy is a major source of electrical power near volcanoes
1. Steam is heated by hot magma in permeable rock
○ Magma comes close enough to surface to heat groundwater trapped in rocks
2. Boreholes are drilled into the rock to harness the heated steam
3. Heated steam is used to turn turbines at power stations
● Renewable energy source
○ Will reduce greenhouse gases/climate change
● eg/ Hellisheidi power plant in Iceland
○ Provides electricity/hot water for the capital (Reykjavik)
○ Geothermal energy produces 30% of Iceland’s electricity
■ Largest geothermal power station in Iceland
■ 2nd largest geothermal power station in the world
Farming:
● Lava/ash erupting from volcanoes → initially kill livestock and destroy crops/vegetation
● After 1000s of years, weathering of lava releases minerals
○ Leaves behind extremely fertile soil → rich in nutrients
● Land can be farmed productively to provide source of food and income
● Volcanic soils (are):
○ Found on less than 1% of Earth’s surface
○ Support 10% of the world’s population
Mining:
● Settlements develop where valuable minerals are found
○ Dormant, extinct and active volcanoes are mined
● eg/ Kawah Ijen – active volcano in East Java, Indonesia
○ Kawah Ijen’s crater is one of the biggest sulphuric lakes
○ Sulphur is sold for many uses → creates income
■ Bleaching sugar
■ Medicines
■ Fertilizer
● Dangers of mining in active volcanoes:
○ Miners cannot afford protective clothing
○ Hydrogen sulphide/sulphur dioxide gases burn miners’ eyes and throat → respiratory diseases
○ In the last 40 years → 70 miners have died due to harmful fumes
○ Sulphur weighing up to 100 kg is carried up/down the rocky and slippery mountain paths
● Advantages of mining in active volcanoes:
○ Miners earn an average $6 per day → makes them want to continue to work in dangerous areas
Tourism:
● Tourists visit volcanoes for unique views/hotsprings/adventure
○ More than 100 million people visit volcanoes every year
● Income generated helps locals and the country on the whole
Family and friends:
● People don’t want to leave hazard-prone areas as family/friends are still there
● Is often cheaper/easier to stay
○ Risks may not be perceived as dangerous enough
○ Residents are in denial that a disaster may occur
● People may be confident in government to predict, provide and support