Which is more dangerous- an earthquake or a volcano? While earthquakes cause many disastrous incidents every year, volcanoes are at least a triple threat, which makes them ultimately more unfavorable. First, when volcanoes erupt, they explode hot magma which is treacherous and destroys everything in its flow path. Magma is also deleterious before it rises to the surface. Magma movement in the Earth’s mantle causes seismic activity, which can lead to to tremors, earthquakes, and tsunamis. (source: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/methods/seismic/ )This seismic activity is the second reason volcanic eruptions are more ruinous than earthquakes, and their ensuing results. Volcanic activity can also cause limnic eruption, or lake overturn, which is a rare but calamitous natural event. Limnic eruption is set off by the seismic activity of an active volcano and causes dissolved CO2 to billow out in huge clouds that suffocate humans, wildlife, and livestock. (source: http://www.design4disaster.org/disasters-2/natural-disasters/limnic-eruption/) ) These three dire natural occurrences caused by volcanic eruptions support the thought that they are more menacing than earthquakes.
