| It is no secret that volcanic activity has helped to | | | | But as volcanoes are a fact of life, they have |
| shape our history, and throughout history certain | | | | influenced the way we live. Crops from the |
| volcanic activity has created great changes in our | | | | volcanically-rich soils grow faster than any other |
| land masses, and populations. How have | | | | crop in the World. Around Indonesia's fabled Dieng |
| Volcanoes helped to shape human history? | | | | Plateau in Central Java, organic vegetables are |
| Indonesia has the title of the "land of fire," with its | | | | grown for export to Europe. |
| vast islands of volcanoes dotting around the | | | | What is more frightening is the fact that mass |
| whole island archipelago. In 1815 Tambora blew, | | | | extinctions are partly the fault of volcanic activity. |
| and still is the most powerful eruption recorded in | | | | Dinosaurs could have been wiped out because of |
| recent history. The Island was destroyed, tens of | | | | continued volcanic activity, whilst some experts |
| thousands perished, the sea bed moved, but the | | | | claim that ten thousand years ago the eruption of |
| global effect was the effect of the volcanic ash | | | | the super volcano- Lake Toba in Indonesia- may |
| on the weather- temperatures dropped almost | | | | of contributed to the near extinction of the |
| 1oc, and Europe, the Americas suffered massive | | | | human race. |
| crop failures. | | | | Lake Toba still remains dormant- now a popular |
| In 1991 when Mount Pina tubo erupted in the | | | | tourist resort, and the fabled birthplace of the |
| Philippines, global temperatures dropped half a | | | | proud "Bataks, " but could explode again. A |
| degree as volcanic ash blocked the sunlight. More | | | | dangerous and volatile giant, ready to unleash the |
| recently the continued eruptions of in Iceland, | | | | power of more than a dozen atomic bombs, |
| disrupted global flights. Leading to Europe canceling | | | | when it does. |
| flights for weeks, and the ash from continuous | | | | Volcanoes bring both life and death to our planet. |
| eruptions continue today to disrupt some flights | | | | Their soil provides a bounty of crops, whilst the |
| from Europe. | | | | fire within them shapes our landmasses, and we |
| Old Norse Legend talks of life coming from | | | | learn to use the geothermal energy from them. |
| Volcanoes, and many scientists openly state we | | | | But they are also a living symbol that we are |
| originate from the particles from ancient volcanic | | | | beyond controlling nature, and we are both |
| activity. Without these mighty mountains of fire, | | | | blessed and cursed with living alongside volcanoes. |
| we might not be here. | | | | |