Unlike other natural disasters such as floods, wild fires and earthquakes, volcanoes can have some positive effects, even though they can be very disastrous.
Let us see some negative effects of volcanoes:
volcano factEruptions occurring close to human settlements may spill and destroy lives and property. People often have to be evacuated.
Example: Chaparrastique volcano in El Salvador started erupting on 29 Dec, 2013. Anyone living within 2 miles of the volcano is evacuated.
Source: BBC News:www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25545555
volcano factAsh discharged very high into the stratosphere can have negative consequences on the ozone layer. Read more about that here.
volcano factLandscapes and natural sceneries can be destroyed.
volcano factAsh and mud can mix with rain and melting snow, forming lahars. Lahars are mudflows flowing at very fast pace.
Some positive effects of volcanoes include:
volcano factDifferent types of erupting volcanoes provide extraordinary scenery, so beautiful and natural that they attract tourists to the area, bringing in some economic value.
volcano factPlaces close to volcanic activities tend to have higher potential for geothermal energy, which can be an advantage to the towns and cities.
volcano factSome ash and lava breakdown become soils that are rich in nutrients, and become good areas for crop planting activities.