The Disadvantages of Volcanoes Loss of lives if it erupts Damage to property Other volcanoes may appear Loss of crops Loss of livestock Gases can cause breathing problems Unpleasant smells from the sulphur (yellow substance) Acid Rain Risks of mudslides Ash can cause breathing problems Living in fear Earthquakes The Advantages of Volcanoes Geothermal Energy In volcanic areas water can be pumped into the hot rocks and heated to provide energy. In Iceland nearly 90% of homes are heated by this method. Tourism A volcano is an interesting tourist attraction: Sell cooled lava as souvenirs Sell rock as souvenirs Guided tour of the volcano Volcano merchandise including DVDs T-Shirts etc Museum New land be created Islands can form out of the sea through volcanic eruptions Volcanic soils These are very fertile (Lots of nutrients). The crops grow very well in these areas. They are particularly good for fruit growers. Minerals When magma pushes into rock it can cause minerals to come out of the rock e.g Copper, tin and gold. Spectacular landscapes