Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation in the Americas, Issue 13, October 2020: Supplement on Health Disaster Risk Reduction

Around 10% of the world’s population lives near a historically active volcano. When a volcano erupts, there may be critical dangers for those caught in the explosive force of the eruption (for example, lateral blasts, ballistic ‘bombs’ and pyroclastic density currents). However, by far the most wide-spread hazard is airborne emissions (ash and gasses), carried by winds over hundreds to thousands of kilometers from the volcano. This newsletter includes key facts and recommendations to reduce the risk of health hazards brought by volcanic eruptions.