‘The greatest risk of living near volcanic areas is the landslides.’ Evaluate this statement with references to examples. [8m]

I agree that the greatest risk of living near volcanic area is the landslide.Landslide occur due to the structural collapse of a volcanic cone during the volcanic eruption , The landslide can range from a few rock fragments falling from the volcano to landslide of several hundred cubic kilometer. Landslide have potential to obstruct the flow of rivers causing flood , block road and buried villages. An example is the Andes mountain of South America in 1985 which releases a pyroclastic flow. The mixing of pyroclasts and glacial ice along the its path trigger lahars. Lahars are lanslides of wet volcanic debris on the side of the volcano. The lahar engulfed the town which killed many people in the town.

However, there are other greater risk of living near volcanic areas. This is because when there is volcanic eruption causes pollutions, Ash particles released during volcanic eruption will damage the nearby buliding and people .For example, Mount Merapi produced extensive volcanic ash cloud containing tiny particles of abrasive glass, san and rock, it endangers aircraft engines and structures. Volcanic eruption will also cause an acid rain as there is too much sulfur dioxide released when there an eruption occurs. Acid rain causes damage to crops and corrodes limestone buildings.

Another risk of living near an volcanic eruption is it will cause health problem to the people in the nearby areas. Volcanic eruption will released sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. which when people breathe in too much will cause respiratory system problems such as asthma.

Another risk of living near vocanoles are risking of affecting food supply. When volcanoes erupt, lahars and ashes are released, blocking sunlight from reaching the crops.Without crops, farmed animals will not have enough crops to consume. Both will result in food shortage. For example, Palue Island, about three sea miles from Sikka regency in East Nusa Tenggara.

Therefore I can conclude that landslide is the greatest risk of living near volcanoes as the death toll can climb very high in a short period of time. While other risks such as health risk and pollution does not result in immediate loss of life.