The impact of volcanic eruptions on agriculture and soils

Volcanoes are natural structures formed from plate tectonic movement where one plate moves under the other and delves into magma under the mantle, allowing magma to reach the surface.

Not only are there different types of volcanoes, but each has different levels of severity, strength and type of pyroclastic material released. Volcanoes are natural events that are part of the earth’s natural systems but can become a natural hazard.

Agriculture plays a major role in the Caribbean’s economy and is linked to Caribbean history. Being composed of developing and underdeveloped areas, the Caribbean is still dependent on this primary sector for income, jobs, export, globalisation and of course, increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and providing food for the population.

From volcanic eruptions such as lava flow, new land can be created, expansion of land can occur, and areas can be developed with fertile soil from ash fall. Ash is composed of minerals which is then weathered and thus provides the soil with organic minerals and nutrients useful for the development of new vegetation.

Volcanic eruptions cause many other natural hazards such as fires, floods, and earthquakes. From fires, dead vegetation can decompose and provide nutrients to soil, allowing better growth of vegetation.

However, livestock may be in danger as earthquakes, flooding and fires can contribute to destruction of farms, loss of animal life and destroyed ecosystems. Animals are also sensitive to natural events and hence may escape to find safety.

Additionally, volcanic eruptions can generate revenue and aid from other countries, which can influence agricultural development and acquiring the necessary tools.

Contrary to these benefits, some small or less economically developed countries may be at a greater disadvantage where they may not be able to quickly revive from the disaster due to lack of resources or mitigation strategies. Hence, they may focus on the primary sector for food and survival and attempting to recover their economy through agriculture.

Lastly, pyroclastic material such as ash and other gases can be very harmful to not only humans and animals, but to vegetation as well. With dense ash cover, for example that which has covered Barbados following the La Soufrière eruptions in St Vincent, vegetation and agricultural plants may be blocked from sunlight for a period.

This can hinder their development and they may become inedible for consumption due to ash fall. Production in agriculture will also come to a halt, affecting production and the GDP of a country.