Volcanoes

This gonna be a hot episode!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, listeners, I cannot thank you enough for stopping by
for another episode of the Science Stuff to Blow Your
Mind podcast, a show dedicated to blowing your mind with
science to Day's episode is going to be a hot one.

(00:22):
We're going to talk about the fascinating topic of volcanoes.
Let's just jump right into it, shall we. Volcanoes typically
form and tectonic plate boundaries, where plates are either moving

(00:45):
apart or moving towards each other. Volcanoes can also form
over hot spots in the Earth's mantle. When an oceanic
plate subducts beneath a continental plate, the subducting plate melts.

(01:12):
This forms magma that rises to the surface and creates
strato volcanoes. In divergent boundaries like the mid Atlantic Ridge,
tectonic plates pull apart, allowing magna to rise and create
shield volcanoes. Volcanic islands such as Hawaii form over hot spots.

(01:41):
Wear hot mantle plumes push magma upwards to the surface,
creating chains of volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are broad, gently sloping
volcanoes formed by low viscas cosaiti lava flows that can

(02:02):
travel long distances. Examples include Mana Loa and Kilooeo in Hawaii.
Strato volcanoes composite volcanoes are steep, conical volcanoes formed by
alternating layers of solidified lava and tephra. These volcanoes tend

(02:28):
to have explosive eruptions. Think Mount Fuji in Japan or
Mount Saint Helens in the US. Cinder cone volcanoes are small,
steep sided volcanoes built up from the accumulation of volcanic
debris like ash and cinders. These are usually short lived eruptions,

(02:52):
such as Peracutin in Mexico. Lava domes are formed by
the slow extrusion of highly viscous lava, resulting in steep
dome shaped structures such as Novarupta lava Dome in Alaska
Mount Saint Helen's lava dome. Volcanic eruptions occur when gas

(03:21):
pressure within magma causes violent bursts. These eruptions produce pyroclastic flows,
ash clouds, and lahars. An effusive eruption is when lava
flows steadily from a vent or fissure without much explosive activity.

(03:41):
The lava is typically basaltic, and these eruptions form shield volcanoes. Preto.
Magmatic eruptions occur when magma comes into contact with water,
causing an explosive interaction. These eruptions produce ash clouds and pyroclasts.

(04:05):
Plinium eruptions are the most powerful explosive eruptions, characterized by
massive columns of ash that can reach the stratosphere. Next,
let's take a look at volcanic activity and monitoring. Earthquakes

(04:25):
and tremors are caused by the movement of magma beneath
the Earth's crust. This seismic activity is primary indicators of
volcanic activity. Volcanologists monitor gas emissions like sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide,
and hydrogen sulfide. Elevated levels of certain gases can indicate

(04:50):
an eminent eruption. Rising magma can cause ground deformation, which
can be de detected using GPS or satellite radar. Satellites
and drones equipped with infrared sensors can detect temperature changes

(05:10):
that indicate volcanic activity. Let's take a look at the
mystic volcanic eruptions Mount Vesuvius in seventy nine eight D.
This was the eruption that buried the Roman cities of
Pompeii and urclonium under a thick layer of ash and pumus,

(05:36):
preserving them as archaeological sites. Krakatoa in eighteen eighty three
was a catastrophic eruption in Indonesia. It resulted in tsunamis
and global temperature drops. It is famous for its loudness
and subsequent year without a summer. Nount Saint Helens, which

(06:01):
erupted in nineteen eighty was an eruption that drastically altered
the landscape and killed fifty seven people. It changed the
ecology of the area. Usual volcanic hazards include lava flows,

(06:22):
which are streams of molten rock that can destroy everything
in its path. Though they move slowly, it's enough to
allow evacuation. Ash clouds can travel vast distances, disrupting air travel, agriculture,

(06:44):
and human health. Pyroclastic flows are dense, fast moving mixtures
of hot gases, ash, and rocks that flowed down the
sides of volcanoes, often its speeds of one hundred miles
per hour. Lahars are mud flows caused by volcanic eruptions,

(07:10):
mixing with water from rain or melted snow, which can
bury villages and farms. A volcanic Tsunami is caused by
eruptions or landslides into the ocean. This can displace water,
generating large waves that impact coastal communities. Next on the list,

(07:34):
let's take a look at volcanoes and climate. Sulfur dioxide
released into the atmosphere can combine with water vapor to
form aerosols that cool the planet, temporarily causing volcanic winters.

(07:56):
Large eruptions, such as the eruption of Tambora and A
teen fifteen, have been linked to colder global temperatures, causing
crop failures and famines. Volcanic ash and lava break down
into rich, fertile soil that contains essential minerals like potassium, phosphorus,

(08:20):
and nitrogen. Countries like Indonesia, the Philippines and Italy grow
crops like coffee, bananas, and grapes in volcanic soils. Volcanic activity, however,
can sometimes destroy crops and farmland, especially during eruptions. Next,

(08:41):
let's take a look at the volcanic landscape. Calderas are
huge collapsed craters formed after large eruptions that emptya volcanoes.
Magma chamber lava plateaus are large, flat areas formed by
the acute emulation of lava flows over time. Volcanic islands

(09:06):
are islands formed by underwater volcanic eruptions. How about volcanoes
and mythology. Many volcanoes are considered sacred, with deities associated
with them, such as the god Pele in Hawaiian mythology.

(09:31):
Many cultures view volcanic eruptions as the anger of gods,
such as the Greek myth of Hephidus forging weapons and
volcanic eruptions. Volcanic activity is often seen as an almon
or a signal in many indigenous belief systems. Here are

(09:53):
some volcanic tourism sites if you'd like to see one
for Yourselfvolcanoes such as Mount Fuji, Mount Vesuvius, and Mount
Etna attract millions of tourists each year, offering hiking, sight seeing,
and sometimes active eruptions. Volcano tourism involves risks, including eruptions

(10:18):
and the exposure to toxic gases, which are often mitigated
by careful monitoring and guided tours. Volcano tourism boosts local economies,
providing jobs, and promoting geological research and conservation efforts. Unfortunately,

(10:39):
that's all the time that we've got for today's episode
of Science Stuff to Blow Your Mind Podcasts, a show
dedicated to blowing your mind with science. I can't thank
you enough for tuning in for another episode in Until
next time,