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Most of the world’s volcanoes are located along sections of the earth known as tectonic plates. These plates fit like puzzle pieces against each other, but they are always moving, which means that lava can sometimes rise up to the surface of the earth and break free, causing eruptions.
Studying the historical eruptions of Decade Volcanoes provides scientists with valuable information that helps them identify patterns of volcanic activity and can possibly provide insight into future events.
The Decade Volcanoes project was actually started after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which was one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century. It caused widespread devastation but also highlighted the importance of volcanic study, and so began the program.
The iconic Mount Rainier in Washington State poses a significant threat to the nearby metropolitan areas of Seattle and Tacoma. Although the stunning landscapes make this volcano a popular tourist destination, its potential dangers are the reason why it is on the list of Decade Volcanoes.
Mount Vesuvius (located near Naples, Italy) is infamous for its eruption that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 CE. Today, it remains a major threat due to the millions of people living in its vicinity. Extensive planning and evacuation strategies are in place to mitigate the risks of future eruptions.
Decade Volcanoes are a group of 16 volcanoes identified by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI). Due to their history of large, destructive eruptions, these volcanoes are seen as particularly worthy of close study.
Avachinsky-Koryaksky are actually two neighboring volcanoes located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia. They are located on the Pacific Ring of Fire (a belt of volcanoes stretching around the Pacific tectonic plate) and pose a major threat to more than 150,000 people of a nearby city.
Colima isn’t really a single stand-alone volcano, but is actually part of a range of volcanoes known as the Colima Volcanic Complex. The volcano has seen more than 40 eruptions since the 16th century, and they have all threatened nearby villages and the nearby city after which the volcano was named.
The first recorded eruption of Galeras in Colombia was on December 7, 1980, and the volcano has frequently caused destruction ever since. In fact, an eruption in 1993 killed nine people, six of whom were scientists studying the mountain. It is the most active volcano in the country.
Out of the five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii, only Mauna Loa is included as a Decade Volcano. It is also the world’s largest active volcano, and has been a constant threat to the local area for the past 700,000 years.
Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, is one of Europe's highest and most active volcanoes. Etna has erupted so many times over the past century that its height has continually changed, while the nearby city of Catania is mostly affected only by the volcano’s ashfall.
The Indonesian city of Yogyakarta (which boasts a population of 2.4 million) is constantly under threat because of nearby Mount Merapi, which is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. Merapi has killed hundreds of people over the decades, since its volcanic debris can travel up to speeds of 435 mph (700km/h).
Much like Merapi, Mount Nyiragongo in the DRC is also noted for its highly fluid lava flows that can travel rapidly. Along with another neighboring volcano, Nyiragongo is responsible for almost 40% of all the volcanic eruptions that take place on the African continent.
The most well-known eruption of Mount Unzen in Japan occurred in 1792, when the collapse of a lava dome triggered a tsunami that killed more than 14,500 people. It is no wonder that it has been designated as a Decade Volcano, especially since it is the deadliest in Japan.
Although it isn’t the deadliest volcano in Japan, Sakurajima is certainly the most active. The volcano poses a major threat to the nearby city of Kagoshima, especially since it has been registered on the Volcanic Explosivity Index with a value of 4.
Santa María is one of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth, and its eruption in 1902 is considered one of the three largest in the whole world of the past 200 years. In fact, the VEI scale places the eruption at a category 6: the equivalent of 200 megatons of TNT.
Many people might not be aware that one of the biggest volcanic sites in the world is located in Santorini, Greece. The caldera, which is mostly submerged, is made up of islands that are the remains of a large volcano that erupted a long time ago. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous, since the caldera remains one of the most active sites on Earth.
Taal Volcano is one of the more hostile additions to this list, especially since it has caused the deaths of about 6,000 people with its many eruptions. Taal poses a significant threat to many residents in the area, since it is located in the middle of a lake that is surrounded by villages and the city of Manila.
Mount Teide can be found on Tenerife in the Canary Islands of Spain. At a height of 14,600 ft (7,500 m), it is the third-highest volcano in the world, and certainly one of the most dangerous. The volcano’s last eruption occurred more than a century ago, and scientists are now questioning whether it is overdue for another.
The last Decade Volcano on the list is Ulawun from the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. It is a surprisingly innocuous volcano, having only erupted a total of 22 times since the 18th century, but its vicinity to the residences of thousands of people makes it a perfect addition to the list of Decade Volcanoes.
The Decade Volcano project has seen many successes in mitigating disasters over the years. When Mount Etna erupted in 1992, the government was able to successfully divert the flow of lava away from nearby population centers, which was made possible by the project.
Many events in the past have drastically interfered with scientists and their abilities to study Decade Volcanoes. In particular, the civil war in Guatemala (which ended in 1996) meant that studies at Santa María were impossible.
As difficult as it is to believe, scientists are able to accurately predict potential eruptions by measuring how much gas the volcano emits, such as sulfur dioxide or carbon dioxide. These emissions indicate a shift in the earth’s movement and are typically precursors to eruptions.
Scientists are estimating that, as our planet rapidly warms due to climate change, more volcanic eruptions will begin appearing around the world. This means that the Decade Volcano project is truly crucial in achieving security from these types of disasters.
Sources: (WorldAtlas) (Wired) (European Space Agency) (Geology Science) (ScienceDaily)
See also: How to live near an active volcano
Eruptions of Decade Volcanoes can have profound effects on local biodiversity, capable of destroying habitats and altering entire ecosystems. Understanding these impacts is important for conservation efforts.
The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is a scale that measures the explosiveness of volcanic eruptions, ranging from 0 to 8. While it provides a measurable framework for assessing volcanic eruptions, it’s important to note that most of the volcanoes on this list have achieved eruptions above a VEI-4.
The Decade Volcanoes project was initiated by the United Nations in the 1990s, and these volcanoes were selected based on their potential to cause significant loss of life and property damage. This potential simply supports how much we need more advanced volcanic research and ways to avoid destruction.
The primary goal of the Decade Volcanoes project is to promote better scientific understanding of high-risk volcanoes. By studying their behavior, scientists aim to enhance early warning systems and improve disaster preparedness and response strategies.
What are Decade Volcanoes?
What is their relevance to the survival of life on Earth?
LIFESTYLE Environment
Our world is truly a fascinating place to live on. While clouds reel above our heads, beneath our feet is a volatile environment that brings out fire and destruction. Yes, we're talking about volcanoes. Indeed, ever since the dawn of humanity, volcanoes have caused untold catastrophe. For this reason and others, scientists are trying to understand them better. Click through this gallery to see how.