Volcanic eruptions are not the most dangerous of natural disasters.
They cause less fatalities than earthquakes, hurricanes and famines.

The number of fatalities on a volcano does not only depend upon the size of the eruption.
The great eruption of Mt Etna in 1669 destroyed the city of Catania but no one was killed.
In contrast a single lahar from melting snow killed 28 000 at Nevado del Ruiz even when the
event was correctly forecast. Timely and credible information to the public helps save lives.
The greatest role for volcanologists is not to predict eruptions but to foresee catastrophic events.

Eruption Injuries without Deaths

Volcano Fatalities
www.volcanolive.com
Copyright John Seach