Lithospheric Process & Hazards Essay on Soufrière Hills

Lithospheric Processes & Hazards ? Rese emissionh ExcerciseSoufrière Hills MontserratThe Soufrière Hills is placed in Montserrat isBritish overseas territory located in the LeewardIs reasons, styleion of the chain of islands called theLesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It measuresapproximately 16 km bulky and 11 km wide,giving 40 km of coastline. Montserrat is hardenedin the compass northern part of the Lesser Antilles,which is a volcanic island arc formed a capaciousthe joint where the Atlantic tectonic headquarters is subducted beneath the Caribbean coat. slicked all the islands along the arc ar the resultof subduction related volcanism. several(prenominal) have (http://static.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/maps/wg-montserrat-2233-400x300.gif)andesitic stratoventes, which have been produced by fickle clacks, coupled with the exhibit of lava lofts and associated pyroclastic flows, and the occasional extrusion of lava flows. Montserrat was given up its name by Chris wide-ranging flushher capital of Ohio on his second voyage to the New world in 1493, after(prenominal) its namesake located in Catalonia. Montserrat is often referred to as the Emerald islet of the Caribbean, due both(prenominal)(prenominal) to its resemblance to coastal Ireland and to the Irish profligate most of its wee European masstlers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat). What throwd the gonorrhea?The Caribbean island of Montserrat is situated on a deadly plate verge. A plate boundary occurs when two of the plates that occupy up the surface of the earth meet. lowneath Montserrat the Atlantic plate is late being forced nether the Caribbean plate. This happens be let the pelagic plate is denser than continental plate. Convection authoritatives retract the dense Atlantic plate into the mantle where intense rut and friction father the jounce to melt. This molten carry is twinkle than the surrounding rock, forcing it to stand up through cracks in the in the rock towards the earths surface. The Soufrière Hills sacking produces thick sticky lava called andesite. The lava is so thick that it builds up at the top of the release in a dome until it becomes as well heavy and the dome collapses. When the dome collapses juicy rocks, gases and modify ar released from the volcano causing the next hazards. Pyroclastic flows argon passing fast-moving flows of lava, hot rocks and gas that flow set modifyore the grimace of the volcano. Pyroclastic Surges are fast-moving clouds of hot ash that blend in with the pyroclastic flow. Tiny pieces of volcanic ash are blasted into the logical argument forming a plume of ash. As it cools toss off it falls back end to the earth, covering vast areas with a point of ash (http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/ development/in/geog/envhaz/ abridgment/flash_popup_vol_ take a shit.shtml). The current knock of the Soufrière Hills vent started on 18 July 1995 and is silent inveterate in 2003. throughout this time, the volcano has experienced diametrical stages of attack from earthquake swarms to explosive eruptions. On 25 June 1997 at about 1 p.m. the Soufrière Hills Volcano erupted catastrophically. The dome of the volcano collapsed, displace 5 cardinal cubic metres of hot rocks and gases down the side of the volcano towards the north of the island. This signalled an increased menstruation of volcanic legal action and had a significant impact on the island. What was the impact of the eruption? extend to on EnvironmentThe eruption on 25th June 1997 unnatural Montserrat in numerous ways by killing and injuring many people. Villages were sunk; farms and farmland were covered in ashes deposits and rocks. During the eruption in the center of 4 ? 5million cubic metres of lava was drop in theform of pyroclastic flows. A persist of at least4 square kilometres of land was covered by thedeposits from the pyroclastic flows and surges. The most-valuable part of the flow in Mosquito Ghautca apply intense scouring to the top of the valleywalls. Pyroclastic flow deposits solelyfilled Pea Ghaut. The villages of Farms andTrants were completely buried by blockand ash flow deposits. Impact on PeopleThe eruption on 25 June 1997 destroyedbetween 100 -150 houses. Most of the housesdestroyed were in the animadversion zone and shouldhave been unloose but an estimated 15 people wereliving and sleeping in the animadversion Zone. Most of the land able for farming was close by the volcano on the southwestward and according to the reports there at that time there wasn?t enough food turn off going around so the topical anaesthetics pull pressings on the officials to go away them for farming. The 19 people who were killed by the pyroclastic flows and surges were in the Exclusion Zone. general injuries to the seven people injured were tremendous destroy to the feet as a result of walking on ash deposits provided about 1-2 cm deep.. Other survivors suffered burns to assorted separate of their bodies, including inhalation injuries and burns to the nostrils and mouth (http://images.google.ch/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/ genteelness/int/geog/envhaz/images/volcanoes/cause/eruption/map_montserrat1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/ cultivation/int/geog/envhaz/volcanoes/cause/eruption/eruption1.

shtml&h=349&w=393&sz=31&hl=en&start=13&um=1&usg=__3hzY-qZPMPo6Nwf7vMw4DbzyKbI=&tbnid=iZepO07BcLQf2M:&tbnh=110&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSoufri%25C3%25A8re%2BHills%2Bmap%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den). What actions were taken before, during and after the eruption ? in proceed 25 June 1997 the British authorities began to fund a working(prenominal) basis in the north of the island including a jetty, roads, water and electricity. This phylogenesis was extremely slow and the housing conditions were of a poorer quality than the local populations were used to. During this time the British and Montserrat regimens both adopted a wait and see advance because the volcano had not been peculiarly officious up until this point. Actions taken by the MVO on 25 June 1997 helped to save lives. unremitting supervise of the volcano enabled the scientists to predict that an eruption would be believably that twenty-four hour period and evacuations of controlled areas within the exclusion zona were conducted success skillfuly. Search and deliver teams were deployed quickly, enable survivors to be picked up by helicopter or vehicle. specializer medical reenforcement ensured treatment for burns victims. aft(prenominal) 25 June 1997 the volcano went through a period of wild eruption. The Exclusion Zone was extended and greater pressure was put on the be facilities in the North. The airport and the Plymouth port were closed in(p) and was destroyed by pyroclastic flows. The British Government ultimately concur to fund a crisis programme of action (£56 million) and to support development in the north of the island. Other Caribbean islands, organisations such(prenominal) as CDERA and the Red crossbreeding also gave aid to Montserrat(http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/int/geog/envhaz/ abstract/popup.shtml?popup=volaction&popup=yes). As recently as March 2003 the Soufrière Hills Volcano is so far active and shows signs of slighlty increased activity. Lava dome growth, pyroclastic flows and rock falls are still being observed. As long as the volcano is active there can be no development or return to the south of the island (http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/int/geog/envhaz/summary/popup.shtml?popup=volaction&popup=yes). Works CitedThe Government of Montserrat and the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. MVO. 11 July 1999. 20 Oct. 2008 . The tale of Montserrat and the MVO. MVO. 20 Oct. 2008 . Soufrière Hills. Wikipedia. 15 Oct. 2008. 20 Oct. 2008 . If you deficiency to hasten a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com

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