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Blog: Crash course on volcanoes
25 Sep 2008 07:39:28 GMT
 Source: IRIN

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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

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Last updated:Thu Sep 25 07:39:49 2008