What happens to the animals when a volcano erupts?
JoJo
Dear JoJo,
Livestock and other mammals have been killed by lava flows, pyroclastic
flows, tephra falls, atmospheric effects, gases, and tsunami. They can
also die from famine, forest fires, and earthquakes caused by or related
to eruptions.
Mount St. Helens provides an example. The Washington Department of Game
estimated that 11,000 hares, 6,000 deer, 5,200 elk, 1,400 coyotes, 300
bobcats, 200 black bears, and 15 mountain lions died from the pyroclastic
flows of the 1980 eruption.
Aquatic life can be affected by an increase in acidity, increased
turbidity, change in temperature, and/or change in food supply. These
factors can damage or kill fish.
Eruptions can influence bird migration, roosting, flying ability, and
feeding activity.
The impact of eruptions on insects depends on the size of the eruption
and the stage of growth of the insect. For example, ash can be very
abrasive to wings.
For more details see Volcanic Hazards by R.J. Blong.
Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota
Sources of Information:
Blong, R.J., 1984, Volcanic hazards: A source book on the effects of
eruptions: Academic Press, Orlando, Florida, 424 p.
Del Moral, R., 1981, Life returns to Mount St. Helens, Natural History,
v. 90, no. 5, p. 36-46.
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