Benefits of Living In An Area of Volcanic Activity

One of the common questions asked when discussing the topic of volcanoes is, if the danger is so high, then why live there.  As a matter of fact, there are many reasons.

Fertile Soil
After an eruption the soil around the volcano itself is made very fertile by the lava and ash.  This is highly productive and can attract farmers to the area, boosting the economy.
Jobs
After a volcano, great interest from the media and also the public arises.  This dramatically improves the tourism industry, creating more jobs.  After a volcano these jobs may be needed more than ever.

Mining

As the magma in the vent cools then valuable minerals such as diamonds can be formed.  This attracts the mining industry to the area, also creating jobs.

Power
Hot rocks found underneath the ground can be harnessed after a volcano to create geothermal power.  Over 70% of homes in Iceland use geothermal power.