Watch the video titled \"Meet the Volcanoes\" (2 min 57 sec) under the Volcanism
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Question
Watch the video titled "Meet the Volcanoes" (2 min 57 sec) under the Volcanism terms section of the Science Corner. You can also view the video at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/meet-volcanoes.html. Next, use the Internet or Strayer Library to research articles on the Mauna Loa Volcano in Hawaii and Mount Pinatubo in Philippines. Based on the type (i. e., cinder cone, shield, or composite) of volcano, and its common eruption characteristics, speculate on the societal and environmental damages that Mauna Loa and Mount Pinatubo would cause if they erupted today. Justify your response with evidence from your research.
Explanation / Answer
The Mauna Loa Volcano is the largest shield volcano on the planet Earth. It ascends more than 4 kilometers above the sea level. From the seafloor it is an extra 5 kilometers and also from the seafloor to the deep it is an additional 8 kilometers downward and a total of 17 kilometers from the base. Around half of the island of Hawaii is made up by this volcano.
Moreover it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. After the first eruption in 1843 there have been another 32 eruptions and the final eruption took place in 1984. Scientists also suggest that this volcano will erupt again. Researchers believe that it has been erupting for at least 700,000 years with its emerging above the sea level taking place close to 400,000 years ago. The magma from the Mauna Loa Volcano comes directly from the Hawaii hotspot.
Scientists warn that Mauna Loa will likely erupt again within the next few years and so it may be that the citizens of Hawaii will require an alert regarding this volcano.
In 1881 eruption, lava almost reached Hilo. In 1926, a vigorous flow more than 50-feet high washed out the fishing village of Ho'opuloa. In 1950, lava covered homes in Pahoehoe and the residents ran for their lives. When Mauna Loa erupted in 1984, media crews and tourists came from around the world. The lava crept within a few miles of Kaumana and shining at night.
The Mauna Loa Volcano has been selected as a decade volcano. There are only 16 similar volcanoes in the world. But volcanoes in Hawaii do not generally produce multiple fatalities. One of the most general hazards that volcanoes in Hawaii like Mauna Loa can cause is inundation by lava.
Mount Pinatubo was an active stratovolcano situated on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It was the second-largest volcanic eruption of 19th century, and was the largest eruption which affect in a most densely populated area happened on June 15, 1991. This large eruption produced high-speed avalanches of hot ash and gas, giant mudflows, and a cloud of volcanic ash.
The Pinatubo eruption produced an umbrella-like cloud of rock, ash and gas more than 35 kilometers into the sky above the Philippines, and it also ejected aerosols which remained in the air around the globe for around three years. This blast affected climate around the world and causing the temperatures to drop and Asian rain patterns to shift temporarily. This eruption caused significant damage to the economy and infrastructure of the surrounding areas
Scientist believes that it reposes for hundreds of years but there's a possibility that it can diverge from the current pattern. It is a secure place to visit. The crater of the volcano is a beautiful lake around 2.7 kilometers wide and the water there is crystal clear. Although it is advised not to swim in the water of the lake. These volcanoes tend to vary on a theme.
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