Report assesses risk posed by volcanic eruptions
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.028685
Nature : Indonesia is one of the countries most threatened by volcanic activity, according to a recent report by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. As part of a larger international hazard assessment, researchers looked at some 9500 eruptions that have occurred over the past 10 000 years. They determined that about 800 million people live within 100 km of a potentially active volcano and that the risk involved varies depending on the landscape. Eruptions can result in heavy lava flows, mudslides, ash fall, or floodwaters from melted ice. With modern scientific monitoring equipment, however, local residents can be forewarned and much of the risk can be mitigated. Some countries even use human volunteers to watch a volcano and report on any changes.
