Volcanic-hazards assessments; past, present, and future

Abstract

A new reason to study volcanoes has developed within the last few decades; it is to anticipate the specific kinds and extents of future eruptions and their effects on people and property. Such studies are based chiefly on the eruptive histories of volcanoes and the distribution of past eruptive products. Volcanic-hazards studies in the U.S Geological Survey began in the 1960's primarily to provide data useful for hazard mitigation during future eruptions. Worldwide interest in volcanic-hazards assessments was greatly stimulated by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, just 2 years after a hazards assessment of the volcano was published in U.S Geological Survey Bulletin 1383-C. Many climactic eruption on May 18, although the extent of the unprecedented and devastating lateral blast was not anticipated.