The United States has 18 volcanoes listed as a "very high threat" to their surrounding communities, according to recent list compiled by the United States Geological Survey.

Those volcanoes sit in five states, with Hawaii's Kilauea at the top of the list.

Kilauea last erupted in May 2018 for several hours following a magnitude-5.0 earthquake on Hawaii. The eruption filled nearby neighborhoods with dangerous gas and lava, forcing more than 10,000 residents to evacuate.

The other states with volcanoes at very high threat levels are Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington.

The U.S. has 161 active volcanoes, and has experienced 120 eruptions and 52 incidents of volcanic unrest since 1980.

The U.S. Geological Survey uses 24 hazard and exposure factors to assess and publish volcanic threat based on factors that include: field and laboratory research that includes or takes off volcanoes from the list of possibly active volcanoes, and updates the risk factors used to compile the volcano threat ranking.

The threat ranking doesn't predict when volcanoes will erupt.

The USGS has added and raised the threat level assessment for 12 volcanoes, and lowered or removed 20 volcanoes from the list. The agency uses the list to help federal, state and local government officials, along with the National Volcano Early Warning System, to prepare risk mitigation efforts.

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Volcanic ash impact on air travel could be reduced says new research
Manchester UK (SPX) Oct 25, 2018
Manchester-based Volcanologists have developed a method and camera that could help reduce the dangers, health risks and travel impacts of ash plumes during a volcanic eruption. Ash is sometimes seen as a secondary danger in volcanoes when compared to more visual hazards, such as lava and pyroclastic flows. However, ash can have a major impact on human lives and infrastructure, such as the 2010 eruption of the Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajokull, which brought international aviation across Europe t ... read more