Question

Lava Flows of 1973: The recent story of Iceland shows that humans can make enough adjustments to live profitably and happily next to active basaltic volcanism. The town of Vestmannaeyjar is built next to the premiere fishing port in Iceland. The safe harbor is itself a gift of volcanism; it was formed between ancient lava flows. On 23 January 1973, a fissure opened up only 1 km (3,300 ft) from the town of 5,300 people (figure 7.1). By early July, the eruption had emitted 230 million m3 of lava (figure 7.2) and 26 million m3 of pyroclastic material.

A) No town affected by the eruption
B) The town was evacuated
C) Eruption occurred far from the town
D) The town was close to the eruption site

Answer 1

The town of Vestmannaeyjar is close to the site of volcanic activity, and historical events like the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption and the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius highlight the risks for nearby populations. Despite these risks, many people live near volcanoes due to their benefits, and improvements in volcanic monitoring have helped to mitigate dangers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The town of Vestmannaeyjar lies in close proximity to active volcanic activity, as evidenced by the lava flows and pyroclastic material emitted during the eruption on 23 January 1973. The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 further illustrates the devastating impact such volcanic events can have on nearby communities, with the loss of vegetation, properties, and human lives. Similarly, the historic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD caused significant destruction to the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum through ash fall and pyroclastic flows, with remarkable preservation of the ruins that provides insight into the lives of the affected Romans. Despite the dangers, many people continue to live near active or dormant volcanoes due to factors such as fertile land and economic benefits, as seen in the Hawaiian Islands, where the type of eruptions tends to be effusive rather than explosive. Ongoing research and monitoring have improved volcanic hazard prediction, enabling communities to better prepare for potential eruptions and reduce the risks associated with living in such dynamic geological zones.