Are volcanoes a threat to the human race? Thousands have been evacuated, homes have been destroyed and flights have been cancelled after a volcano erupted on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma.
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Lava engulfs homes as giant volcano erupts
Are volcanoes a threat to the human race? Thousands have been evacuated, homes have been destroyed and flights have been cancelled after a volcano erupted on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma.
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Local guide, Jonas Perez, could feel the tremors as he spoke.
"The most amazing thing, which I've never experienced, is the noise coming from the volcano, it sounds like... 20 fighter jets taking off and it's extremely loud, it's amazing."
The lava was moving at half a mile per hour, and was predicted to reach the sea last night.
The molten mass obliterated homes, banana plantations and a school as it rolled through the municipality of El Paso.
La Palma had been on high alert after more than 22,000 tremors were reported in the space of a week.
But just how perilous are the world's volcanoes? Since the year 1500, around 280,000Statistics compiled by Dr Sarah Brown from the University of Bristol. Just six big eruptions account for around 170,000 of those killed. people have been killed by eruptions, with 2,000 fatalities since 2000.
Compared to other natural disasters, these numbers are relatively low. Up to 280,000 people were killed in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamiThe 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami occurred at 07:58:53 in local time on 26 December, with an epicentre off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The wave not only killed thousands, but ruined many more homes.. And since 1900, millions have died from floods and droughts.
But dig deeper, and the unique power of volcanoes becomes clear.
Around 75,000 years ago, the Toba supervolcano exploded with enough force to cause a global volcanic winterA reduction in global temperatures caused by volcanic ash blocking the Sun.. Some claim it nearly wiped outKnown as the Genetic Bottleneck Theory, some scientists claim the eruption caused the global human population to plummet to around 3,000 to 10,000 individuals. However, other researchers refute this hypothesis. humans.
Some of the most severe climate shocks of the past few thousand years can be ascribed to volcanoes. Whether volcanoes pose an existential risk to the future of humanity, or civilisation remains an open question
There are still around 20 supervolcanoes on Earth - including one in America's Yellowstone National ParkFounded in 1872 in the US, Yellowstone was the first National Park in the world and sits on top of a "supervolcano", a massive area of volcanic and geothermal activity.. If that blows, the consequences could be dire.
Are volcanoes a threat to the human race?
No. The risk of a supervolcano actually erupting is low. And even if one did, the effects would likely fall short of the apocalyptic vision some have in mind. As for smaller eruptions, early warning systems and slick evacuation drills can reduce harm. We might not be able to stop eruptions, but we can prepare ourselves.
Yes. With supervolcanoes it is not a question of "if", but "when". NASA is developing strategies to stop the Yellowstone volcano erupting - something it would not do unless the threat was real. Volcanoes may seem like a remote issue, but they can have a potentially disastrous global impact.
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280,000 - Statistics compiled by Dr Sarah Brown from the University of Bristol. Just six big eruptions account for around 170,000 of those killed.
Indian Ocean tsunami - The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami occurred at 07:58:53 in local time on 26 December, with an epicentre off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The wave not only killed thousands, but ruined many more homes.
Volcanic winter - A reduction in global temperatures caused by volcanic ash blocking the Sun.
Wiped out - Known as the Genetic Bottleneck Theory, some scientists claim the eruption caused the global human population to plummet to around 3,000 to 10,000 individuals. However, other researchers refute this hypothesis.
Yellowstone National Park - Founded in 1872 in the US, Yellowstone was the first National Park in the world and sits on top of a "supervolcano", a massive area of volcanic and geothermal activity.
Lava engulfs homes as giant volcano erupts
A house burns due to lava from the eruption of a volcano in the Cumbre Vieja national park at Los Llanos de Aridane, on the Canary Island of La Palma, September 20, 2021 © Reuters Glossary
280,000 - Statistics compiled by Dr Sarah Brown from the University of Bristol. Just six big eruptions account for around 170,000 of those killed.
Indian Ocean tsunami - The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami occurred at 07:58:53 in local time on 26 December, with an epicentre off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The wave not only killed thousands, but ruined many more homes.
Volcanic winter - A reduction in global temperatures caused by volcanic ash blocking the Sun.
Wiped out - Known as the Genetic Bottleneck Theory, some scientists claim the eruption caused the global human population to plummet to around 3,000 to 10,000 individuals. However, other researchers refute this hypothesis.
Yellowstone National Park - Founded in 1872 in the US, Yellowstone was the first National Park in the world and sits on top of a "supervolcano", a massive area of volcanic and geothermal activity.