Hazards: Difference Between Volcanoes and Hurricanes/Typhoons - John, Na Li and Bettina

Distinguish between two chosen hazards in terms of their spatial extent, predictability, frequency, magnitude, duration, speed of onset and effects. (10 marks)

	Volcanoes	Hurricanes/Typhoons
Spatial Extent	Volcanoes can be located in specific areas: Around the edge of the Pacific Ocean Down the centre of the Atlantic Ocean In Southern Europe Down the East Coast of Africa Volcanoes are located on or near tectonic plate boundaries, specifically destructive and constructive boundaries. Their spatial concentration is limited, and their areal extent is also normally limited to the areas immediately around the volcanoes.	Typhoons' are what tropical storms are called that occur in the western pacific ocean. 'Hurricanes' are storms that occur in the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.Hurricanes/Typhoons or "cyclones" are often formed in areas of warm water in both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. They rotate counter clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Predictability	The predictability of Volcanoes can be very difficult, but it is said that the beginning of a volcanic eruption is easier to predict rather than the end of the eruption. Volcanologists can try and predict the eruptions of volcanoes by looking for certain characteristics: Changes in the shape of a volcano Changes in the amount of gas being released Changes in the temperature Tectonic Activity (earthquakes)  Animal Behaviour Changes in Local Hydrology Mass Movements	These hazards are caused by the exchanges in temperature of the cool temperature of the air and the warm temperature of the water. Therefore, it can be predicted when a cold front and a warm front are near each other, or when a cold front overtakes a warm front. The larger the difference between the two temperatures, the larger the hazard will become.
Frequency	Non-explosive to gentle explosions occur frequently, or daily. However, very large volcanic eruptions with a plume height of >25km happens about once every 10,000 years.	Typhoons occur much more often in a year at an average of 25 to 30 typhoons per year, compared to about 10 to 15 hurricanes in one year.
Magnitude	The magnitude of volcanoes can be measured through the Volcanic Explosivity Index, or the VEI. the VEI specifically is characterised or distributes the magnitude through the plume height and the volume of the volcano.	The magnitudes of typhoons can be measured into five different levels of intensity. The different levels depend on the different speeds of the hurricane or typhoon. Category one moves at an average of 33-42 meters per second, category two with 43 to 49 meters per second, category 3 at 50 to 59 meters per second, category 4 with 58 to 70 meters per second, and category 5 with winds greater than 79 meters per second.
Duration	Volcanoes can last from about a day to a thousand years.	Hurricanes/Typhoons can last up to less than a day (the amount of time it hits land) up to more than a day.
Effects	Volcanoes cause both economic and physical damage.	Typhoons both cause immense amount of damage, both physically and economically.

This table was created by using the blog post we created, and using Kevin Y.'s blog and Michael I.'s blog

With this, it can be identified, that volcanoes are located in specific areas in the world as shown in the table above, while  hurricanes/typhoons occur almost every where, or in areas with both a cold front and a warm front. Volcanoes are very hard to predict and can be predicted through physical characteristics such as the movement of plates and the temperature, etc. However, hurricanes and typhoons can be predicted electronically, or with technology, as it is required to know where the cold front and the warm fronts are to predict the hazard. Volcanoes occur more frequently as they can potentially happen daily at a small scale, however, hurricanes and typhoons can happen at an average of 10 to 15 or 25 to 30 typhoons a year, depending on the area. The magnitude of volcanoes and typhoons/hurricanes can be measured differently as volcanoes are measured through their plume height, which is hot magma rising, and the volume of the volcano. Typhoons and Hurricanes on the other hand, can be measured with the speed of their wind, and the intensity. The duration of the two hazards are very different, as they can both last for a minimum of less than a day, however, volcanoes can potentially last to thousands of years while hurricanes and typhoons can last up to a few days. The effects of both the hazards are both economic and physical damage to the area it has hit.