[Answered] Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on regional environment

A volcano eruption is when lava and gas are released from an active volcano, often explosively. Volcanoes have significant impact on the regional environment, as can be seen from the examples of following volcanoes in 2021:  

1. Hunga Tonga-Hunga Hapai: The submarine volcano erupted in December, 2021.  
2. Taal volcano: The volcano near Manila, experienced eruptions in 2021.  
3. Nyiragongo: The violent/explosive eruption of this volcano in Democratic Republic of Congo affected the local population, as it killed dozens of people.  
4. Iceland: The volcanic system of Iceland, erupted in 2021. It filled the valley with dark black lava for months before the eruption ceased.  
5. La-Palma: The volcanic system in the canaries to saw eruption of an explosive volcano in 2021.   

Impacts on local environment:  

1. Plumes of volcanic ash can spread over the large areas of the sky, reducing visibility.  
2. Volcanic eruptions are often accompanied with events of volcanic lightning.  
3. Volcanic ash reflects incoming solar radiation leading to a localised cooling effect in the temperature.  For example, Mt. Krakatau brought mini ice age. 
4. The volcanic ashes are known to increase the soil productivity of the region.  
5. Carbon di oxide and fluorine gas can get collected in volcanic ash, and can pollute the regional environment, making it difficult for animals and humans to breathe. 
6. Volcanic eruptions are also known to stimulate earthquakes in the region.  

Volcanoes are a natural phenomenon. Most of the active volcanoes are around the Pacific rim of fire. Though, volcanoes cannot be avoided, steps can be taken to mitigate their effects.