Can you tell us more about the use of volcanic ash on agriculture and in the portland cement industry?

Ivan

UPDATE! (10/2006)

Early Romans mined a fine volcanic ash "Pozzolana" near Vesuvius. When mixed with lime and water in the right proportions, it can be used to make a surprisingly strong concrete. In fact, the cement was naturally occuring in some areas. Modern "Portland cement," which is the most common type of cement, sometimes uses either natural or industrial pozzolanic ash. Click here to visit Roman Concrete.com!

Volcanic rocks also make an excellent substrate for agriculture. However, in terms of ash, I am going to refer you to the chapter on agriculture in Blong's Volcanic Hazards. There are numerous examples of how ash effects agriculture and it is not always a beneficial relationship. Chapter 4, Soils Derived from Tephra, in Sheets and Payson might also interest you.

Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota

Sources of Information:
Blong, R.J., 1984, Volcanic Hazards: A Sourcebook on the Effects of Eruptions: Orlando, Florida, Academic Press, 424 p.

Moore, David, et al. http://www.romanconcrete.com/

Ugolini, F.C., and Jasoski, R.J., 1979, Soils Derived from Tephra, in Sheets, P.D., and Grayson, D.K., eds., Volcanic Activity and Human Ecology: New York, Academic Press, p. 83-124.

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