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Blog: Crash course on volcanoes
Source: IRIN
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
NAIROBI, 25 September 2008 (IRIN) - There are hundreds of
active volcanoes in the world. Every year a volcano erupts, often resulting in a humanitarian emergency for governments, NGOs and affected people. Here is what you need to know. Accurate predictions
of volcanic eruptions "are sometimes possible but still rare in volcanology". At least three-quarters of all volcanoes rise near the rim of the Pacific Ocean in a circle of hot-spots called
the Ring of Fire. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), there are at least 20 volcanoes erupting as you read this and each year at least 50-70 erupt. According to Southwest Volcano
Research Centre, if a volcano is on red alert (level 1), an eruption is imminent or in progress; orange (level II) means an eruption may occur in days or weeks; yellow (level III) indicates changes in
volcanic activity from normal; green (level IV) means the volcano is active but stable. ma/bp/mw© IRIN. All rights reserved. More humanitarian news and analysis: http://www.IRINnews.org
