Volcanic hazard

Stromboli: The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean

Francisco Cáceres September 18, 2019

Figure 1. Stromboli night activity (Image credit: Katja Bigge. Distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

In the last months two paroxysmal explosive eruptions took place at Stromboli volcano: the first one, totally unexpected, on 3rd July (Video 1) that sadly cost the life of a person and the second and, currently, last one about three weeks ago, on the 28th August (Video 2). Today we try to answer a couple of questions about Stromboli and its eruptions. Are these paroxysmal eruptions common or rare ...[Read More]

Let the ash fall, but get ready for its consequences

Francisco Cáceres May 27, 2019

Figure 1. May 18th, 1980 eruption of Mt St Helens eruption. Images from UGSG

The past 18th May marked 39 years since one of the most emblematic volcanic eruptions in historic times: the 1980 Mt St Helens explosive eruption. With a death toll of 57 victims, it is the deadliest volcanic event in U.S. history. If that wasn’t enough, it also destroyed hundreds of houses and roads. When we think about explosive volcanic eruptions what commonly comes in our minds about the possi ...[Read More]

The CRED presents the bill: the socio-economic cost of natural hazards.

Vale Cigala March 20, 2019

Fig. 1 Flood at Trans-en-Provence (Var - France) June 2010, photo credit: Dimitri Defrance (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

Which type of natural hazard is the most frequent? And which one causes the largest economic losses? Which populations are mainly affected? What are the necessary steps to reduce natural hazards’ impact? If you have ever wondered about any of these questions, you’d be interested to know that there is an institute answering all of them with a series of reports and ad hoc publications. We are ...[Read More]

The collapse of Anak Krakatau volcano: a scenario envisaged

Vale Cigala February 4, 2019

Anak Krakatau August 2018. Photo credit: James Reynolds (EarthUncutTV) with permission.

The volcano ID Krakatoa or Krakatau, in Indonesia, is part of the Ujung Kulon National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage property, and among the most (in)famous volcanoes in the world. From a geological point of view, it is part of the Indonesian island arc system generated by the north-eastward subduction of the Indo-Australian plate (Figure 1). Krakatau is now a caldera type of volcano thanks to the ...[Read More]