GEOL 2207 Lecture Notes - Sulfuric Acid
Document Summary
Directly responsible for ~3% of volcano-related deaths this century. Indirectly, through crop destruction, has emissions have resulted in starvation and disease, ~40% of volcano-related deaths since 1600. Health hazards: co2: unconsciousness & asphyxiation at high concentrations, so2: inflammation and irritation of eyes & respiratory tract. Can change to sulphuric acid that can erode things: h2s: irritation of eyes, throat; lung paralysis, death, hcl, hf, h2so4: irritation of mucus membranes, coughing, choking. Tries to monitor this at many volcanoes. This eruption can have effect on global climate. Ash floated to europe and formed a fog if people could die: caused crop failure in europe, affecting monsoon in asia. Erupted over an 8 month period during 1783-1784. Gases hydrofluoric acid and sulfur dioxide compounds: killed over 50% of iceland"s live stock, leading to large famine which killed approximately 25% of the population. Globally estimated to have killed over six million people deadliest volcanic eruption in historical times.
