homehome Home chatchat Notifications


6 deadliest volcano eruptions

Volcanic eruptions are impressive natural phenomena; it begins when pressure on a magma chamber forces magma up through the conduit and out the volcano’s vents. Seen on the TV or in the newspaper, they’re just fantastic and gorgeous. But if you’re unlucky enough to be there… it’s really deadly. But volcanic ash can also bring […]

Mihai Andrei
April 16, 2008 @ 6:49 am

share Share

Volcanic eruptions are impressive natural phenomena; it begins when pressure on a magma chamber forces magma up through the conduit and out the volcano’s vents. Seen on the TV or in the newspaper, they’re just fantastic and gorgeous. But if you’re unlucky enough to be there… it’s really deadly. But volcanic ash can also bring a new beginning, aiding nature to grow even bigger and stronger than before. But the lives lost are forever gone. Here’s a sum of the world’s 6 deadliest volcano eruptions, in terms of human live loss – for both direct and indirect causes.

6. Laki, Iceland; year: 1783; 9,350 deaths, caused mostly by starvation

laki

5. Unzen, Japan; year: 1792; 14,300 deaths, caused mostly by the volcano collapsing.

unzen

4. Nevada del Ruiz, Colombia; year: 1985; 25,000 deaths, caused mostly by mudflows

ruiz

3. Mount Pelee, Martinique; year: 1902; 29,025 deaths, caused mostly by ash flows

pelee

2. Krakatau, Indonesia; year: 1883; 36,417 deaths, caused mostly by a following tsunami

krakatau

1. Tambora, Indonesia; year: 1815; contrary to popular belief, this is in fact the volcano eruption that killed the most people, and by far, but not directly; 92,000 deaths, mostly by starvation

tambora

Pictures from the actual volcanoes, but not the actual eruptions.

share Share

Scientists Just Found Arctic Algae That Can Move in Ice at –15°C

The algae at the bottom of the world are alive, mobile, and rewriting biology’s rulebook.

Satellite data shows New York City is still sinking -- and so are many big US cities

No, it’s not because of the recent flooding.

Is a Plant-Based Diet Really Healthy for Your Dog? This Study Has Surprising Findings

You may need to revisit your dog's diet.

Mars Seems to Have a Hot, Solid Core and That's Surprisingly Earth-Like

Using a unique approach to observing marsquakes, researchers propose a structure for Mars' core.

Scientists Just Discovered a Massive Source of Drinking Water Hiding Beneath the Atlantic Ocean

Scientists drill off Cape Cod and uncover vast undersea aquifers that may reshape our water future.

Climate Change Triggered European Revolutions That Changed the Course of History

Severe volcanic eruptions may have set the stage for several revolutions.

Hundreds of Americans Begged the EPA Not to Roll Back Climate Protections and Almost No One Listened

Public speaks out against EPA plan to rescind Endangerment Finding.

Shark Teeth Are Supposed to be Nearly Indestructible but Climate Change is Starting to Corrode Them

Sharks could suffer from climate change in ways that people hadn't previously considered.

World's Oldest Water is 1.6 billion Years Old -- and This Scientist Tasted It

Apparently, it tastes 'very salty and bitter'.

Heatwaves Don't Just kill People. They Also Make Us Older

Every year's worth of heatwaves could add about two weeks of aging to your body