Volcanic study - I've tried to build upon the reference library that Darren Hoey has created and take it in my own direction.
How would an animal adapt to the environment?

On eruption a volcanic eruption may release gases, volcanic debris and lava into atmosphere.
Lava:
-Large amounts of lava and heat from the volcano will increase the temperature.
-After cooling the volcanic materials will help the environment to regrowth, this is because lava is actually rich in minerals from the earths core.
-Volcanic debris may be thrown in the air and land, injuring plants and animals
Gases:
Gases will poison the air and may make it hard to breath
 -If gas particles are big then they let sunlight in but don’t let heat radiated from the Earth’s surface out.
-If the particles are smaller they block some of the incoming energy from the Sun and the Earth cools off.

Reference:
Here are some articles that discuss how volcanoes may effect the environment:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/feb/09/volcanoes-climate 

http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/how-do-volcanoes-affect-atmosphere-and-climate