Not all world, close to 800 million people live less than 100 km from an active volcanoaccording to the publication “Global volcanic hazards and risk”.
Although, for the most part, active volcanoes do not pose a danger to these populations in nearby cities – either because they rarely erupt or because people have become accustomed to the frequent activity – there is the constant threat that these volcanoes could produce unusually large and dangerous eruptions.
Despite the risks, living close to volcanoes can bring many benefits: the soil is more fertile, there is usually plenty of water and, for many communities, volcanoes can even acquire a spiritual or religious significance. But an unexpected eruption can also cause devastation to territories, agriculture and even death, with effects that can be long-term.
Discover 5 volcanoes close to cities
Volcano of Fire, Guatemala
The Volcano of Fire, considered one of the most active in Central America, is just 16 km from the city of Antigua Guatemala, one of the main tourist destinations in the country with 60 thousand inhabitants, and 35 km from Guatemala City, with 1, 2 million inhabitants.
In 2018, around 200 people died after the volcano erupted.
Villarrica Volcano, Chile
The Villarica volcano is located less than 20 km from the city of Pucón, in Chile, with just over 16 thousand inhabitants. Considered the most dangerous volcano in the country, Villarica is almost always releasing smoke, and nearby territory needs to be evacuated frequently when it shows signs of a possible eruption.
Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland
The Reykjanes Peninsula, in Iceland, is an area of intense volcanic activity, which has more than 30 volcanoes and is just 56 km from the country’s capital, Reykjavik, which has just over 139 thousand inhabitants.
The volcanoes in this area have been dormant for more than 800 years, but since 2021 it has disrupted daily life in the densely populated area, leading to evacuations, power cuts and damage to infrastructure.
Popocatépetl Volcano, Mexico
Popocatépetl is considered one of the most dangerous active volcanoes, as it is located in a densely populated area. The closest city to the volcano, just 12 km from its crater, is the small Santiago Xalitzintla, with just 2 thousand inhabitants, but just over 70 km away is Mexico City, the capital of the country with 9.2 million inhabitants. inhabitants.
In 2023, the country was put on alert when the volcano erupted, millions of people were warned that they might need to leave their homes at any time.
Phlegrean Fields, Italy
Phlegrean Fields is an area that encompasses several volcanoes, and although they are not the most famous in Europe, or even in Italy, they represent one of the biggest volcanic threats at the moment. The region is considered a supervolcano, that is, it is capable of producing giant eruptions, which could affect areas of more than a thousand kilometers, impact the global climate and even cause the extinction of species.
The volcanic area is located about 20 km from the city of Naples, with more than 900 thousand inhabitants. Although its last eruption took place in 1538 – and was responsible for creating a new mountain in the bay – the area remains active, causing constant earthquakes in the region. As seismic activity intensifies in recent years, researchers point out .
