Do You Live Near a Volcano That Could Blow?

As Hawaii residents deal with the devastating effects of the eruption of the Kilauea volcano, a US Geological Service map has revealed the other US hotspots where residents are at risk of volcanic activity.

The United States Geological Survey counts 169 potentially active volcanoes in the country, with about 50 of them in six states are rated high priority or highest priority for monitoring.

Alaska tops the at risk areas, with at least 50 volcanoes that have been active since 1760, attracting substantial attention from volcano watchers and researchers.

The at risk Alaskan areas are are concentrated along the arc of the Aleutian Islands, which is part of the ‘Ring of Fire’ around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and eruptions are most common.

Most observed volcanic activity takes place along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region around the Pacific Ocean where several tectonic plates meet, causing earthquakes and a chain of what geologists call subduction zone volcanoes.

Scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory have a yellow alert in effect for Mount Cleveland, where they have been detecting seismic and thermal activity and occasional ash clouds.

Around the globe today, about 800m people live within 100km, and 29m within 10km of active volcanoes.

In Hawaii, scientist’s predictions from eight days ago of powerful steam-driven explosions at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano have come true, as they say eruptions are likely to continue.

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted Thursday and sent ash spewing 30,000 feet into the sky before raining down on a nearby town, with residents being warned to shelter in place as the dusty plume engulfs the island.

Experts say the explosive ballistic displays could go on for weeks – and they don’t know when it’s going to stop.

THE US VOLCANO RISK TOP TEN 

Here are the 10 most dangerous volcanic mountains in the U.S.

1. Kilauea, Hawaii

2. Mount St. Helens, Washington

3. Mount Rainier, Washington

4. Mount Hood, Oregon

5. Mount Shasta, California

6. South Sister, Oregon

7. Lassen Volcanic Center, California

8. Mauna Loa, Hawaii

9. Redoubt, Alaska

10. Crater Lake, Oregon

Source : U.S. Geological Survey

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