Volcanic activity is not unforeseeable, however, and advancements in gas emission sensors, seismometers, aerial GPS, radar systems and other monitoring instruments have revolutionized the science of predicting eruptions. With such tools deployed on Kilauea, ground swells were detected before the most recent explosion, giving emergency responders several days of warning. According to Charlie Mandeville, volcanologist and director of the U.S. Geological Survey, it is possible now to predict major eruptions weeks or months ahead of time.

Despite technological advancements, predicting volcanic eruptions is not a perfect science and volcanoes continue to pose a threat to many as some of the world’s worst weather events. Approximately 800 million people live within 60 miles of an active volcano in more than 80 countries around the world. There are also 169 active volcanoes in the United States, threatening even cities with the best weather. Based on the latest USGS estimations of volcanic threat level, 24/7 Wall St. ranked these domestic volcanoes from lowest to greatest level of potential threat.

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