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What are some benefits of volcanic eruptions?

Over geologic time, volcanic eruptions and related processes have directly and indirectly benefited mankind:

  • Volcanic materials ultimately break down and weather to form some of the most fertile soils on Earth, cultivation of which has produced abundant food and fostered civilizations.
  • The internal heat associated with young volcanic systems has been harnessed to produce geothermal energy.
  • Most of the metallic minerals mined in the world--such as copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc--are associated with magmas found deep within the roots of extinct volcanoes.

Related Content

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A hole in the ground with layers

Does the USGS have reports on the background levels of elements in soils and other surficial materials?

The following USGS products will be helpful in determining the background levels of various elements in soils and other surficial materials:Geochemical and Mineralogical Data for Soils of the Conterminous United States (2013) Data for samples collected at three intervals (0-5 cm surficial soils, A-Horizon soils, and C-Horizon soils) across the entire conterminous U.S. These data provide the best...

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Does the USGS have reports on the background levels of elements in soils and other surficial materials?

The following USGS products will be helpful in determining the background levels of various elements in soils and other surficial materials:Geochemical and Mineralogical Data for Soils of the Conterminous United States (2013) Data for samples collected at three intervals (0-5 cm surficial soils, A-Horizon soils, and C-Horizon soils) across the entire conterminous U.S. These data provide the best...

Learn More
link
A-horizon soil sample

Where can I obtain soil surveys?

A soil survey is the systematic description, classification, and mapping of soils in an area. They are published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service.NRCS soil surveys are available from several sources:Some are on the NRCS website.Published soil surveys can be found at some libraries or borrowed through interlibrary loan...

link

Where can I obtain soil surveys?

A soil survey is the systematic description, classification, and mapping of soils in an area. They are published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service.NRCS soil surveys are available from several sources:Some are on the NRCS website.Published soil surveys can be found at some libraries or borrowed through interlibrary loan...

Learn More
link
Image shows black pans with gold grains

How much gold has been found in the world?

About 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered to date (187,000 metric tons historically produced plus current underground reserves of 57,000 metric tons). Most of that gold has come from just three countries: China, Australia, and South Africa. The United States ranked fourth in gold production in 2016.All of the gold discovered thus far would fit in a cube that is 28 meters wide on every...

link

How much gold has been found in the world?

About 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered to date (187,000 metric tons historically produced plus current underground reserves of 57,000 metric tons). Most of that gold has come from just three countries: China, Australia, and South Africa. The United States ranked fourth in gold production in 2016.All of the gold discovered thus far would fit in a cube that is 28 meters wide on every...

Learn More
link
Image: Supergene Leached Zone at Silver Bell Mine

How much silver has been found in the world?

Of the 1,740,000 metric tons of silver discovered to date, 55% is found in just four countries on earth. All the silver discovered thus far would fit in a cube 55 meters on a side.Learn more: USGS commodity website for silver

link

How much silver has been found in the world?

Of the 1,740,000 metric tons of silver discovered to date, 55% is found in just four countries on earth. All the silver discovered thus far would fit in a cube 55 meters on a side.Learn more: USGS commodity website for silver

Learn More
link
Copper

How much copper has been found in the world?

To date, roughly 700 million metric tons of copper have been produced around the world. This would fit into a cube measuring about 430 meters on a side.Identified deposits contain an estimated 2.1 billion metric tons of additional copper, which brings the total amount of discovered copper to 2.8 billion metric tons. This would fit into a cube measuring 680 meters on a side. It is also estimated...

link

How much copper has been found in the world?

To date, roughly 700 million metric tons of copper have been produced around the world. This would fit into a cube measuring about 430 meters on a side.Identified deposits contain an estimated 2.1 billion metric tons of additional copper, which brings the total amount of discovered copper to 2.8 billion metric tons. This would fit into a cube measuring 680 meters on a side. It is also estimated...

Learn More
link
Image: Hydraulic Gold Mining

How do we extract minerals?

The primary methods used to extract minerals from the ground are: Underground miningSurface (open pit) miningPlacer mining The location and shape of the deposit, strength of the rock, ore grade, mining costs, and current market price of the commodity are some of the determining factors for selecting which mining method to use.Higher-grade metallic ores found in veins deep under the Earth’s surface...

link

How do we extract minerals?

The primary methods used to extract minerals from the ground are: Underground miningSurface (open pit) miningPlacer mining The location and shape of the deposit, strength of the rock, ore grade, mining costs, and current market price of the commodity are some of the determining factors for selecting which mining method to use.Higher-grade metallic ores found in veins deep under the Earth’s surface...

Learn More
link
A typical portion of the pāhoehoe flow margin near the flow front, ...

How much of the Earth is volcanic?

More than 80 percent of the Earth's surface--above and below sea level--is of volcanic origin. Gaseous emissions from volcanic vents over hundreds of millions of years formed the Earth's earliest oceans and atmosphere, which supplied the ingredients vital to evolve and sustain life. Over geologic eons, countless volcanic eruptions have produced mountains, plateaus, and plains, which subsequently...

link

How much of the Earth is volcanic?

More than 80 percent of the Earth's surface--above and below sea level--is of volcanic origin. Gaseous emissions from volcanic vents over hundreds of millions of years formed the Earth's earliest oceans and atmosphere, which supplied the ingredients vital to evolve and sustain life. Over geologic eons, countless volcanic eruptions have produced mountains, plateaus, and plains, which subsequently...

Learn More
link
Screenshot of Volcanoes and Current Activity Alerts

How many active volcanoes are there on Earth?

There are about 1,350 potentially active volcanoes worldwide, aside from the continuous belts of volcanoes on the ocean floor at spreading centers like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. About 500 of those 1,350 volcanoes have erupted in historical time. Many of those are located along the Pacific Rim in what is known as the "Ring of Fire." In the United States, volcanoes in the Cascade Range and Alaska...

link

How many active volcanoes are there on Earth?

There are about 1,350 potentially active volcanoes worldwide, aside from the continuous belts of volcanoes on the ocean floor at spreading centers like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. About 500 of those 1,350 volcanoes have erupted in historical time. Many of those are located along the Pacific Rim in what is known as the "Ring of Fire." In the United States, volcanoes in the Cascade Range and Alaska...

Learn More
A geothermal power plant
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Image shows a sample of gold against a black background
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Samples to OGRL thumbnail
link
Image shows gray ash covering cars and a house
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Image shows gold-bearing veins of quartz
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Image: Copper
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Image: Geothermal Plant
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Image shows black pans with gold grains
link
Large umbrella shaped cloud of volcanic ash viewed from a distance
link
Silver metal specimen with pen for scale
link

Geothermal energy: clean power from the Earth's heat

Societies in the 21st century require enormous amounts of energy to drive the machines of commerce and to sustain the lifestyles that many people have come to expect. Today, most of this energy is derived from oil, natural gas, and coal, supplemented by nuclear power. Local exceptions exist, but oil is by far the most common source of energy worldwide. Oil resources, however, are nonrenewable and

Benefits of volcano monitoring far outweigh costs - the case of Mount Pinatubo

The climactic June 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, was the largest volcanic eruption in this century to affect a heavily populated area. Because it was forecast by scientists from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the U.S. Geological Survey, civil and military leaders were able to order massive evacuations and take measures to protect property before the erup
By
Natural Hazards, Volcano Hazards, Volcano Science Center
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Magmas to Metals

No one wants to have an active volcano in their backyard (just ask Dionisio Pulido), but ancient eroded volcanoes can sometimes be literal goldmines...

Read Article

Related Content

  • FAQ
    link
    A hole in the ground with layers

    Does the USGS have reports on the background levels of elements in soils and other surficial materials?

    The following USGS products will be helpful in determining the background levels of various elements in soils and other surficial materials:Geochemical and Mineralogical Data for Soils of the Conterminous United States (2013) Data for samples collected at three intervals (0-5 cm surficial soils, A-Horizon soils, and C-Horizon soils) across the entire conterminous U.S. These data provide the best...

    link

    Does the USGS have reports on the background levels of elements in soils and other surficial materials?

    The following USGS products will be helpful in determining the background levels of various elements in soils and other surficial materials:Geochemical and Mineralogical Data for Soils of the Conterminous United States (2013) Data for samples collected at three intervals (0-5 cm surficial soils, A-Horizon soils, and C-Horizon soils) across the entire conterminous U.S. These data provide the best...

    Learn More
    link
    A-horizon soil sample

    Where can I obtain soil surveys?

    A soil survey is the systematic description, classification, and mapping of soils in an area. They are published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service.NRCS soil surveys are available from several sources:Some are on the NRCS website.Published soil surveys can be found at some libraries or borrowed through interlibrary loan...

    link

    Where can I obtain soil surveys?

    A soil survey is the systematic description, classification, and mapping of soils in an area. They are published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service.NRCS soil surveys are available from several sources:Some are on the NRCS website.Published soil surveys can be found at some libraries or borrowed through interlibrary loan...

    Learn More
    link
    Image shows black pans with gold grains

    How much gold has been found in the world?

    About 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered to date (187,000 metric tons historically produced plus current underground reserves of 57,000 metric tons). Most of that gold has come from just three countries: China, Australia, and South Africa. The United States ranked fourth in gold production in 2016.All of the gold discovered thus far would fit in a cube that is 28 meters wide on every...

    link

    How much gold has been found in the world?

    About 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered to date (187,000 metric tons historically produced plus current underground reserves of 57,000 metric tons). Most of that gold has come from just three countries: China, Australia, and South Africa. The United States ranked fourth in gold production in 2016.All of the gold discovered thus far would fit in a cube that is 28 meters wide on every...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Supergene Leached Zone at Silver Bell Mine

    How much silver has been found in the world?

    Of the 1,740,000 metric tons of silver discovered to date, 55% is found in just four countries on earth. All the silver discovered thus far would fit in a cube 55 meters on a side.Learn more: USGS commodity website for silver

    link

    How much silver has been found in the world?

    Of the 1,740,000 metric tons of silver discovered to date, 55% is found in just four countries on earth. All the silver discovered thus far would fit in a cube 55 meters on a side.Learn more: USGS commodity website for silver

    Learn More
    link
    Copper

    How much copper has been found in the world?

    To date, roughly 700 million metric tons of copper have been produced around the world. This would fit into a cube measuring about 430 meters on a side.Identified deposits contain an estimated 2.1 billion metric tons of additional copper, which brings the total amount of discovered copper to 2.8 billion metric tons. This would fit into a cube measuring 680 meters on a side. It is also estimated...

    link

    How much copper has been found in the world?

    To date, roughly 700 million metric tons of copper have been produced around the world. This would fit into a cube measuring about 430 meters on a side.Identified deposits contain an estimated 2.1 billion metric tons of additional copper, which brings the total amount of discovered copper to 2.8 billion metric tons. This would fit into a cube measuring 680 meters on a side. It is also estimated...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Gold Mining

    How do we extract minerals?

    The primary methods used to extract minerals from the ground are: Underground miningSurface (open pit) miningPlacer mining The location and shape of the deposit, strength of the rock, ore grade, mining costs, and current market price of the commodity are some of the determining factors for selecting which mining method to use.Higher-grade metallic ores found in veins deep under the Earth’s surface...

    link

    How do we extract minerals?

    The primary methods used to extract minerals from the ground are: Underground miningSurface (open pit) miningPlacer mining The location and shape of the deposit, strength of the rock, ore grade, mining costs, and current market price of the commodity are some of the determining factors for selecting which mining method to use.Higher-grade metallic ores found in veins deep under the Earth’s surface...

    Learn More
    link
    A typical portion of the pāhoehoe flow margin near the flow front, ...

    How much of the Earth is volcanic?

    More than 80 percent of the Earth's surface--above and below sea level--is of volcanic origin. Gaseous emissions from volcanic vents over hundreds of millions of years formed the Earth's earliest oceans and atmosphere, which supplied the ingredients vital to evolve and sustain life. Over geologic eons, countless volcanic eruptions have produced mountains, plateaus, and plains, which subsequently...

    link

    How much of the Earth is volcanic?

    More than 80 percent of the Earth's surface--above and below sea level--is of volcanic origin. Gaseous emissions from volcanic vents over hundreds of millions of years formed the Earth's earliest oceans and atmosphere, which supplied the ingredients vital to evolve and sustain life. Over geologic eons, countless volcanic eruptions have produced mountains, plateaus, and plains, which subsequently...

    Learn More
    link
    Screenshot of Volcanoes and Current Activity Alerts

    How many active volcanoes are there on Earth?

    There are about 1,350 potentially active volcanoes worldwide, aside from the continuous belts of volcanoes on the ocean floor at spreading centers like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. About 500 of those 1,350 volcanoes have erupted in historical time. Many of those are located along the Pacific Rim in what is known as the "Ring of Fire." In the United States, volcanoes in the Cascade Range and Alaska...

    link

    How many active volcanoes are there on Earth?

    There are about 1,350 potentially active volcanoes worldwide, aside from the continuous belts of volcanoes on the ocean floor at spreading centers like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. About 500 of those 1,350 volcanoes have erupted in historical time. Many of those are located along the Pacific Rim in what is known as the "Ring of Fire." In the United States, volcanoes in the Cascade Range and Alaska...

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    A geothermal power plant
    link
    Image shows a sample of gold against a black background
    link
    Samples to OGRL thumbnail
    link
    Image shows gray ash covering cars and a house
    link
    Image shows gold-bearing veins of quartz
    link
    Image: Copper
    link
    Image: Geothermal Plant
    link
    Image shows black pans with gold grains
    link
    Large umbrella shaped cloud of volcanic ash viewed from a distance
    link
    Silver metal specimen with pen for scale
    link
  • Publications

    Geothermal energy: clean power from the Earth's heat

    Societies in the 21st century require enormous amounts of energy to drive the machines of commerce and to sustain the lifestyles that many people have come to expect. Today, most of this energy is derived from oil, natural gas, and coal, supplemented by nuclear power. Local exceptions exist, but oil is by far the most common source of energy worldwide. Oil resources, however, are nonrenewable and

    Benefits of volcano monitoring far outweigh costs - the case of Mount Pinatubo

    The climactic June 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, was the largest volcanic eruption in this century to affect a heavily populated area. Because it was forecast by scientists from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the U.S. Geological Survey, civil and military leaders were able to order massive evacuations and take measures to protect property before the erup
    By
    Natural Hazards, Volcano Hazards, Volcano Science Center
  • News
    link

    Magmas to Metals

    No one wants to have an active volcano in their backyard (just ask Dionisio Pulido), but ancient eroded volcanoes can sometimes be literal goldmines...

    Read Article