Geography-Volcanoes 02

People live near volcanoes for many practical reasons, namely because of minerals, the fertile soil, geothermal energy, not being able to afford moving away, and tourism.


An example of people living near volcanoes
(http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/volcano-safety-tips.html)

1. Minerals such as tin, silver, gold, copper and even diamonds can be found in volcanic rocks.Most of the metallic minerals mined around the world, particularly copper, gold, silver, lead and zinc are associated with rocks found deep below extinct volcanoes. This makes the areas ideal for both large scale commercial mining and smaller scale local activities by individuals and small groups of locals.
Hot gasses escaping through vents also bring minerals to the surface, notably sulphur, which collects around the vents as it condenses and solidifies. Locals collect the sulphur and sell it to earn money.






A gem found inside volcanic rocks. Sulfur deposits at Kawah Ijen Volcano in Eastern Java.
(http://www.smartminerals.com/pakistan/articoli/occurrence.htm)
(http://www.hilo.hawaii.edu/~csav/gallery/decker/indonesia_kawah_ijen.php)

2. Volcanic rocks also produce very fertile soils. Volcanoes, after erupting, produce very thick deposits of ash and broken rocks which weather to form rich soils. People from less developed countries who live near the volcanoes would be able use the soil for growing crops. Places such as the African Rift Valley, Mt Elgon in Uganda, and the slopes of Vesuvius in Italy all have productive soils thanks to the breaking down of volcanic rocks and ash.




Farming near volcanoes.
(http://scienceray.com/earth-sciences/weird-and-wonderful-of-nature-the-volcanic-eruptions/)

3. The cost of moving. It is expensive to move away from volcanoes. In less developed countries, there are people who cannot afford to move away. Most of them are in denial and hope that these volcanoes nearby them will not erupt again. After all, when a volcano has long been dormant, it is easy to assume and hope that it will not erupt why you live near it.

4. Volcanoes also provide geothermal energy.Geothermal energy means heat energy from the earth.The heat from underground steam is used to drive turbines and produce electricity, or to heat water supplies that are then used to provide household heating and hot water. Many countries with active volcanoes ( Iceland, New Zealand and Japan) make use of geothermal energy and convert it to use as electricity.




(http://www.energyrant.com/geothermal-energy/)

5. Volcanic sites can also be very effective tourist attractions. Even the less active ones that are just puffing out steam and smoke are impressive sights and attract tourists from around the world. Warm bathing lakes, hot springs, bubbling mud pools and steam vents are often present around volcanoes, drawing in tourists.Geysers are also popular tourist attractions, such as Old Faithful in the Yellowstone National Park, USA.Tourism creates jobs in shops, restaurants,hotels and tourist centres / national parks. Locals economies can profit from volcanism throughout the year.






Hot springs near volcanoes.
(http://www.chinaculturecenter.org/chinaguide/regions/yunnan/)

Some wealthy people even choose to live near volcanoes because areas with volcanoes are beautiful, full of wilderness. People who love to ski and snowboard enjoy living near volcanoes because of the atmosphere and scenery.

credits:
http://www.plate-tectonics.org/volcanoes/why-do-people-choose-to-live-by-volcanoes.html
http://www.geography-site.co.uk/pages/physical/earth/volcanoes/why%20people%20live%20near%20volcanoes.html

Bold; less developed countries.