A volcano is a landform, may be a hill, a

mountain, a plateau, or just a fissure on Earth’s crust

through which molten rock from beneath reaches the
surface. Due to tremendous pressure and extreme
temperatures, the hot molten rock beneath Earth
called magma is constantly moving and work its way
toward Earth’s surface through cracks in solid rocks.
The accumulation of the magma as it rises from a
reservoir called magma chamber. The magma in the
reservoir continues to move up through the surface
until it erupts through an
opening called vent.
When magma reaches
Earth’s surface, it
becomes lava. Most
volcanoes have more
than one vent in which
lava may pour from the
volcano. At the top of a
volcano is often a
funnel-shaped pit or
depression called crater. A crater that becomes
very large as a result of the collapse of its walls is
called caldera.
 Volcanic eruptions may be violent or quiet. During
violent volcanic eruptions, gases from within Earth’s
interior mix with large quantities of rock particles in the
form of volcanic dust and ash rise into the air. Some
eruptions are quiet where slowly oozing lava can be seen
from the vent.
 Effects of Volcanic Eruption
Like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions causes
changes on Earth’s surface. When a volcano erupts,
it can cause formation of landforms. A violent
eruption can either build a bigger volcano or
destroy a part or the entire shape of the volcano.
The pyroclastic materials, ashes, and rock
fragments can pile up and add to the rock layers of
the volcano and make it a bigger one. It may also
happen that due to a very violent explosion, some
parts or a whole volcano can be destroyed until
such time that a new cone-shaped landform
appears. Due to strong tremors, fissures on the
ground that surrounds the volcano can also be
seen. A lahar that flows in huge amount can cover
a certain land area, changing a residential area or
an agricultural area into a desert-like one. Lahar
and pyroclastic deposits also alter river systems.
 Active volcanoes are a threat
to people, properties, and even to
the environment. Pyroclastic flows,
lava flows, falling ash, and debris
flows result from erupting
volcanoes.
• Pyroclastic flows are mixtures
of hot ash, rock fragments
and gas, are deadly
because of high
temperatures of 850°C or
higher and fast speeds.
• Lava flows are devastating to
properties and cause
economic loss due to
damaged crops.
• Debris flows called lahar
which is made up of
concrete-like mixtures of
volcanic debris from melted
snow or rainfall can travel
fast into surrounding valleys
and can damage everything
in their paths.
 The many death tolls in Mt. Pinatubo eruption in
1991 and 1992 were attributed to lahar which flowed
and covered almost the whole area of Central Luzon. It
took long years before the people in the area
recovered from the devastating event.
The eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo affected the whole
world because of the sulfur dioxide thrown in the
atmosphere up to 15,000 meters high and spread all
over the world in the upper atmosphere. The formation
of sulfuric veil in the upper atmosphere caused the
cooling of Earth’s temperature over a year.
 Precautionary Measures Before, During and
After a Volcanic Eruption
Before an Eruption:
1. Be aware of an unusual volcanic activity, such as
tremors, release of gases, and an increase in
temperature on the ground.
2. Stay tuned to the radio and follow warning
instructions from authority.
3. Evacuate if necessary.
4. Prepare emergency materials like food, water and
flashlight.
During an Eruption:
1. Stay indoors.
2. Cover your nose with a damp cloth or face mask
(if available) if there is smoke given off and if you
are near the area of eruption.
3. When air is heavy with ash, keep eyes closed as
much as possible.
4. Follow instructions from authorities as to how far
you should be from the volcano.
After an Eruption:
1. Wait for instructions from authorities to return
home if you are in the evacuation area.
2. Remove ash deposits on the roof and
surroundings of your house.
3. Cover your nose with damp cloth to protect
yourself from the ash and volcanic dust carried
by the wind.
4. Check if drinking water is safe. Do not drink
unsafe water to avoid diseases.
5. Check electrical wires at home.
 Predicting and Studying Volcanoes
Many of the deadly active volcanoes,
especially those near populated places in the
world, are being monitored by volcanologists, for
them to predict eruptions and able to warn nearby
residents to prevent loss of lives and minimize
damage to properties. Some signs can be observed
when a volcano is about to erupt. Tremors, swelling
on the ground beneath the volcano, release of
gases, and an increase of temperature of surface
water usually occur. Volcanologists call these signs
precursors activity. Volcanologists use
seismographic devices and other instruments to
monitor these precursors activity. They install
sensors in active and restless volcanoes to gather
information and they analyze the data in
observatories. Aside from ground-based sensors,
they are also using satellite-based systems to study
volcanoes.
A. Read and analyze each item carefully. Write B if
the precautionary measure should be observed
before the eruption, D if during the eruption, and
A if after the eruption. Write your answers on the
blank before each number.

___1. Check electrical wires at home.

___2. Prepare non-perishable foods and clean
water.
___3. Cover your nose with a damp cloth when
there is a heavy smoke.
___4. Remove ash and rock fragments from the roof of the
house.
___5. Evacuate from your house to a safer place if
necessary.
___6. Stay tuned to the radio for further instructions from
authorities.
___7. Check if the source of water is safe.
___8. Wait for instructions to go home if you are in
evacuation center.
___9. Keep your eyes closed if volcanic ash falls in your
surroundings.
___10. Be alert of signs of volcanic activity.
B. Answer correctly and briefly.
1. Do you like to live near a volcano? Why?
2. What are the warning signs that a volcano is
about to erupt?
3. Describe the changes on Earth’s surface due
to volcanic eruptions.

C. Draw and label the parts of a volcano.