Climate+Change+Could+Increase+Volcano+Eruptions

= [|Climate Change Could Increase Volcano Eruptions] =

The article came from Science Daily and was released on November 23, 2017.  I referenced the article on November 29, 2017
 * Article: **

Shrinking glacier cover could lead to increased volcanic activity in Iceland, warn scientists in a new report. Past global climate changes, due to volcanic activity, has affected glacier growth despite a time lag of roughly 600 years. "Climate change caused by humans is creating rapid ice melt in volcanically active regions. In Iceland, this has put us on a path to more frequent volcanic eruptions." The glaciers are linked to the tectonic plates and magma under the surface; so when there is a reduction in surface pressure, shallow chambers of magma can build up and lead to more volcanic eruptions.
 * Summary: **

This relates to the issues of global climate change and how human activities can alter the ecological integrity (Miller 95) for future generations. Humans are a major source of global warming (Miller 472), which means we are the best preventative measure. As part of the tundra, the glaciers rely on low growing plants adapted to the freezing temperatures (Miller 173). Global warming would decrease glacier size, increase the growing size of oceans, and prevent the survival of organisms/species.
 * Relation to Course: **

The glaciers are definitely shrinking, and the changes are apparent. When I was in Iceland over the summer we could see the line of where the glacier started several hundred years ago versus where it currently stands. With the large amounts of volcanoes on the island, there could be drastic environmental and social changes for the island. While visiting, I learned that when people are notified of an eruption they grab a few essentials and leave. They don’t know how long it will be before they can return, it could be anywhere from 2 days to two years. However, if many volcanoes began erupting, the massive move of people from all over the island would not only be inconvenient, but the diversity of many animal populations would be diminished. Thus, I think this is a perfect example of the issues of global warming and why we need to change our actions in order to better protect the environment.
 * My opinion: **

While this is not an Icelandic law, the US has a law that pertains to the preservation of rivers called the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. This law protects rivers and river segments with outstanding scenic, recreational, geological, wildlife, historical, or cultural values. This pertains to Icelandic glaciers because of the glacier rivers that flow through the country. If the glaciers disappear, then the rivers and waterfalls will disappear as well. Another law that can relate as well is the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 because of pollution prevention, especially when done in an environmentally safe manner, can reduce levels of global warming, which means the glaciers are less likely to drastically melt.
 * Environmental law: **

**Picture:**  (my dad)  ([])