| An erupting volcano is one of nature's truly spectacular sights. From a distance, or perhaps through the cameras of the news media, we often observe roiling mushroom clouds of ash or flows of incandescent lava issuing from the volcano's throat. If, however, you happen to live near that erupting volcano, your life or livelihood may be endangered and your property at risk of destruction -- a spectacle of power and beauty may become one of fear and devastation. To help mitigate the effects of volcanic eruptions around the world, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) have developed the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program. -- Ewert and Miller, 1995 |
