What are the Decade Volcanoes?

The Decade Volcanoes are a selection of sixteen volcanoes worldwide designated by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI). Supported as part of a United Nations project, these specific volcanoes are targeted for close surveillance and ongoing study because of their history of destructive eruptions and their dangerous proximity to densely populated areas.

What we know

• The list of Decade Volcanoes includes sixteen volcanoes distributed globally, drawn up by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior as part of a United Nations project. [5]
• Mount Merapi in Indonesia has been named a Decade Volcano since 1995 due to its high volcanic activity. [2]
• Mount Rainier is identified as a Decade Volcano because of the severe danger it poses to nearby metropolitan populations like Seattle and Tacoma. [3]
• Avachinsky and its neighbouring Koryaksky volcano are considered Decade Volunteers worthy of particular study due to explosive histories and proximity to populated areas. [4]
• In Italy, Etna and Vesuvius are included in the Decade Volcanoes list owing to their position within densely populated regions requiring closer surveillance. [5]

Where to go next

• a case in pointWhy is Mount Merapi so active?
• how it workedHow does plate subduction cause volcanism?
• the bigger pictureWhat is the Pacific Ring of Fire?
• what followedHow do volcanic eruptions affect global climate?
• compared withWhat hazards do Cascade Volcanoes pose to the Pacific Northwest?
• an unexpected connectionHow are international scientific bodies tied to United Nations urban safety projects?The selection of Decade Volcanoes bridges pure geological research by the IAVCEI with practical United Nations disaster mitigation frameworks for heavily populated urban areas.

Sources

• [1]list of volcanoes in Indonesia (Wikidata Q549601) · CC0 1.0
• [2]List of volcanoes in Indonesia · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Cascade Volcanoes · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Avachinsky · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Volcanism of Italy · CC BY-SA 4.0