PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Volcanic Historic Event
January 2002, eruption of Nyiragongolava volcano flooded into the Congolese town of Goma. which caused substantial socioeconomic disruption and forced the mass exodus of the population, leaving nearly 120,000 people homeless.
Current Active Volcano
Kilauea
Kilauea is considered one of the worlds most frequently active volcanoes
Kilauea
Is located on the southern part of the Island of Hawai'i, known as Big Island. Kilauea volcano, a youthful shield volcano, sits on the south east flank of the massive Mauna Loa shield volcano
Kilauea has had 61 recorded eruptions in the current cycle and has been erupting on a continuous basis since 1983.
Kilauea has been in near-constant activity since there is oral or written history
The current ongoing eruption
SOME VOLCANIC AIR POLLUTANTS
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Carbon Dioxide
- Hydrogen Chloride
- Ash
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Eruptions of Kilauea Volcano release large quantities of sulfur dioxide gas into the atmosphere that can lead to volcanic air pollution on the Island of Hawai`i. Sulfur dioxide gas reacts chemically with sunlight, oxygen, dust particles, and water to form volcanic smog known as vog.
Carbon dioxide
CO2 trapped in depressions can be lethal to people and animals
When a burning piece of cloth is lowered into a hole that has a high concentration of CO2, the fire goes out. Such a condition can be lethal to people and animals.
Hydrogen chloride
Chlorine gas is emitted from volcanoes in the form of hydrochloric acid (HCl). Exposure to the gas irritates mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract. Concentrations over 35 ppm cause irritation of the throat after short exposure; >100 ppm results in pulmonary edema, and often laryngeal spasm. It also causes acid rain downwind from volcanoes because HCl is extremely soluble in condensing water droplets and it is a very "strong acid" (it dissociates extensively to give H+ ions in the droplets).
Volcanic Ash
Volcanic ash is made up of tiny, dust-like fragments of jagged rock, minerals and volcanic glass. People exposed to ash fall and subsequent ash-filled air commonly experience various eye, nose, and throat symptoms. Medical services can expect an increase number of patients with respiratory and eye symptoms during and after ash fall
