Benefits of volcanoes

Volcanoes are extremely destructive. Since the 1400s, they have killed almost 200, 000 people. But volcanoes are useful in some ways too.

Rock formed from lava is commonly used in building roads, while pumice, a type of natural glass that comes from lava, is used to grind and even polish stones and other materials. Sulphur is used in making chemicals. Volcanic ash can even be used to fertilise the soil.

People living near volcanoes use underground steam, a type of geothermal energy, as a source of energy. This energy is often used to produce electricity in countries like Italy, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States. In Reykjavik in Iceland, people heat their homes with water from the volcanic hot spring.