Volcanic Eruption Could Lead To Worldwide Devastation, Warn Scientists

Scientists have alleged that the world must start preparing for a volcanic eruption that could devastate mankind.

According to the Daily Mail, employees at the European Science Foundation have even estimated that there is a 5-10 percent chance that a large eruption from a volcano could occur by the end of the century.

If the most extreme catastrophe did occur, then it has been estimated that it could send the human race back to an era before pre-civilization. Scientists and experts believe that the issue is so prevalent that $3 billion a year should be spent monitoring and examining the activity in volcanos.

Scientists believe that the increase in population across the world and the importance of air travel would mean that earth would be severely hampered by such an explosion. The latter would be impossible because of the expected ash cloud that would follow the explosion.

The last time that an eruption of this magnitude occurred was in 1815, when the explosion in Sumbawa, Indonesia, led to the death of around 100,000 people. This was then followed by a cloud that went 26 miles into the sky and is even believed to have triggered “the year without summer” that led to famine.

The report from Extreme Geohazards: Reducing the Disaster Risk and Increasing Resilience outlined that more must be done to prepare for such a disaster.

Outlining the potential disaster that could follow such an eruption, the report explained “Volcanic eruptions can have more severe impacts through atmospheric and climate effects and can lead to drastic problems in food and water security, as emphasised by the widespread famine and diseases that were rampant after the Laki 1783 and Tambora 1815 eruptions.”

It then added, “Hence extreme volcanic eruptions pose a higher associated risk than all other natural hazards with similar recurrence periods, including asteroid impacts.”

The document also stated, “Although in the last few decades earthquakes have been the main cause of fatalities and damage, the main global risk is large volcanic eruptions that are less frequent but far more impactful than the largest earthquakes.”

It continued, “Due to their far-reaching effects on climate, food security, transportation, and supply chains, these events have the potential to trigger global disaster and catastrophe. The cost of response and the ability to respond to these events is beyond the financial and political capabilities of any individual country. An international geopolitical response will be required, where science has a unique and key role in preparation, response and mitigation.”

[Image via Farm 3]