Despite the obvious dangers to life and property, volcanic eruption is geologically regarded as a constructive process, since new materials from beneath the earth’s surface are brought to the surface which builds up new topographic forms.

It is undoubtedly true that hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost by volcanic activity. Even in the oceans millions of fish are killed by volcanic eruptions taking place in the seas and oceans.

However, it is not at all necessary to give a detailed account of the havoc played by volcanic eruptions. It may be pointed out that the greatest damage to human lives and property as well as cultural landscape is done because of advancing hot lavas and other volcanic materials associated with volcanic eruption.

There are some other influences of importance which may be considered as beneficial. As we all know that after their disintegrations lavas poured out from the volcanoes give rise to very fertile soils.

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Black Cotton soils of the Peninsular India offer a fine example of the beneficial aspect of the volcanic eruption. In the close vicinity of Mt. Vesuvius, we find the dense agricultural population along the shores of the Bay of Naples tilling fertile volcanic soils. There are many such instances in different parts of the world.

In the development of various kinds of mineral veins, vulcanism has played an important role. Most of the mineral wealth accessible to man is due to the changes brought about by vulcanism, either directly or indirectly.

The great heat and huge amount of gases associated with Vulcanicity have given to water a solvent power in the transfer of mineral from one point to another.

In addition, it is the lavas which have contributed much of the minerals for solution, transportation and deposition in veins. Besides, some of the mineral deposits are of the eruptive origin. Iron ore deposits at Kiruna in Sweden are the typical examples.

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Vulcanism, according to Thornbury, on a regional scale may completely bury an existing landscape and present a totally different type of initial surface to the gradational agents.

Localized volcanic activity may create special features upon a landscape or may interfere with the progress of erosion. Vulcanism may create a wealth of physiographic forms. Thus, there is a close relationship between the mechanism which causes vulcanism and the resulting topography.

The most important point to remember in the context of volcanic influence on human society, is that vulcanism has played commendable role in adding water vapour, carbon dioxide and other gases to the terrestrial atmosphere.

In fact, it is a matter of the greatest importance in maintaining the balance of conditions which is so necessary for maintaining life on the earth. It is very important to learn that any change in the volcanic activity was bound to reflect in the above mentioned balance.