Volcanic Soil and Agriculture

Volcanic eruptions destroy everything nearby, yet they also create Earth's most fertile soil. Andosols, formed from weathered volcanic ash, are rich in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

That is why farmers return to volcanic slopes despite the danger. The flanks of Mount Vesuvius support fine Italian vineyards, and Java, one of the most volcanic islands, is also among the most densely farmed. Even coffee owes its flavor to these minerals — the best growing regions, from Ethiopia to Colombia to Indonesia, are all volcanic.