Volcanoes located in densely populated areas, however, need not have powerful eruptions to produce disastrous results. General population growth and migration from the countryside to urban centers, many of which in Central America are in close proximity to volcanoes, create ever-increasing exposure of people to volcano hazards.
Central America is not alone; other regions at risk from volcanic eruptions face similar population changes. To address these large populations living near volcanoes, we have developed a Volcano Population Index, or VPI, to make objective estimates and comparisons of the number of people at risk from volcanic hazards. Within a given radius of a volcanic vent, the index quantifies one component of risk — population — from one volcano to another.
Knowing the number of people potentially at risk from volcanic activity allows non-volcanologists and emergency managers to gauge the potential adverse impact of volcanic unrest and plan accordingly. Moreover, knowledge of which volcanoes pose the greatest proximal threat can help prioritize hazard assessment, monitoring and mitigation measures. Even small- to moderate-sized eruptions may constitute severe threats if they occur near urban or other densely populated areas.
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