Benefits of living by a volcano

A man works in a field with Mount Mayon in the distance.
Figure caption,
A man works in a field with Mount Mayon in the distance

People choose to live in volcanic areas despite the risks of an eruption. Volcanoes can provide people with many benefits such as:

  • volcanic rock and ash provide fertile land which results in a higher crop yield for farmers
  • tourists are attracted to the volcano, which increases money to the local economy
  • geothermal energy can be harnessed, which provides cheaper electricity for locals
  • minerals are contained in lava, eg diamonds - these can be mined to make money