Page 369 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Appendix 2

Major Volcanoes Worldwide

This table was compiled with the intention to the form of brochures or fact sheets to assist them
provide a general overview of the major volcanoes in the case of an emergency. The number of deaths
worldwide classed as active and as a quick due to volcanic activity also includes fatalities
reference with some examples of countries or caused by lahars/mudflows, which can be triggered
regions with active and dormant volcanic areas. many years after the actual eruption event.
The table is by no means representing every single The fact that less people perish on volcanoes
volcano known at the time of writing. The figures or from volcanic activity than from a number of
are subject to change; for example, future eruptions other natural hazards does not make them any
and resulting developments in scientific research. safer for inexperienced visitors. Growing awareness
The intention is to show the reader some well certainly plays a key role in decreasing numbers of
known names of volcanoes and offer some casualties among residents of volcanic areas. But
indication how these are integrated in the leisure while the local population is increasingly aware of
and recreational industries. the potential dangers near active volcanoes,
The majority of people who died (in temporary visitors, in growing numbers, are
parentheses after year of eruption and name of seeking close encounters with volcanic and
volcano) from volcanic activity in recent times geothermal activity, often without sufficient
were in South America (Armero, Colombia), information about the area they are planning to
Africa (Nyos, Cameroon) and in the Asia Pacific explore.
region (Philippines and Indonesia). However, This table can only give an overview of areas
accidents on a larger scale cannot be excluded where information is available, although quite
around volcanoes with the potential for future often the figures referring to the number of active
eruptions, whether this may be, for example, volcanoes, the actual summit height, and the
Vesuvius, Mt Fuji, Arenal, Hekla, Mt Rainier or number of casualties at the most dangerous
Ruapehu. These mountains all draw vast numbers mountains differ depending on the source. The
of visitors for a range of recreational and cultural actual cause of the casualties is also rarely recorded
activities. Therefore it is important that these – data that of course is difficult to collect in the
temporary visitors receive as much information in case of volcanic disasters and in their aftermath.

App2.indd 345 3/28/2010 1:25:40 PM