Currently, around 500 million people live near volcanoes. This is mainly because an active volcano can not only be dangerous and risky but beneficial and helpful.
Some examples of the benefits of volcanoes are firstly, the soil is fertile and the volcanic products can be used in our daily lives. Volcanic products like sulfur can be used either for making matches or for medicinal purposes. Gravel and sand which the volcanoes deposit into rivers after eruption can be used to construct buildings. The soil around the volcanoes is fertile because the lava will gradually go through the process of weathering and change form to fertile soil.
Geothermal energy harnessed from the active volcanoes can be used to generate electrical power. The steam from liquids gained from these volcanoes can also be used to drive turbines. Other liquids that have lower temperature can be used to heat the atmosphere during cold times, for greenhouses and for hot springs. The geothermal liquids sometimes do contain sulfur, gold, silver and mercury. These products can also be used to provide energy.
As humans, we are always interested in what goes on around us. Curious tourists would visit volcanoes as most of them do not usually get to see volcanoes. Thus, volcanoes would bring tourism to the area. The tourism business would then provide jobs for the people like being a tour guide, selling souvenirs and transportation services.
All these benefits of volcanoes would attract people to live there, although they know the risk. Most volcanoes do not erupt that frequently. This, in the eyes of people living near volcanoes, would cause the benefits to weigh out the risks.
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