SkillBuilder discussion Geographical inquiry 1. Explain the risks associated with living so close to an active volcano. 2. Discuss the benefits of living in the town pictured in FIGURE2 . 3. Evaluate whether the risks outweigh the rewards of living near volcanoes.
FIGURE2 Agriculture and settlement near Mayon Volcano in the Philippines
Fertile volcanic soils have been very important for rice growing in Japan and large areas of the Indonesian archipelago, especially on the islands of Java and Bali. There is also prime agriculture located in regions of rich soil; for example, around Naples, southern Italy, which generally has poor soils. Another region of fertile volcanic soil is the agricultural area of the North Island of New Zealand. Volcanic loam in this area helps produce crops and pasture. Other regions include the western plains of the United States and the Hawaiian Islands. There is a small percentage of rich basalt soils in Australia, including the volcanic plains in Victoria, the north coast of New South Wales, the Scenic Rim of south-east Queensland, parts of Tasmania and the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. Geothermal energy Geothermal energy can be used in locations where there are active or dormant volcanoes still producing heat deep under the Earth’s surface. High-temperature hot springs and geysers produce steam, which can be used to drive turbines and generate electricity. At lower temperatures, the hot water can be used for home heating or to develop hot or warm springs at resort spas. Over one quarter of Iceland’s electricity is generated from geothermal energy, and it provides heating for more than 85 per cent of its homes. The other main countries that make use of geothermal energy are the United States (in California), Italy, New Zealand and Japan.
TOPIC14 Geomorphological processes and hazards
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