Some 1,600 Volcanoes Have Eruptive Potential in the World

Photo: CadenagramontePhoto: CadenagramonteMexico, Jun 7.- About 1,600 active volcanoes have the potential to erupt in the planet, said the researcher from the Institute of Geophysics (IGf) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Servando de la Cruz.

The expert said that between 20 and 50 are alternatively active, so there is always one in eruption and can even coincide as happened in Hawaii and Guatemala.

He asserted that this is coincidental and remarked that the eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii and the Volcan de Fuego (English Volcano of Fire) in Guatemala does not mean that there is a connection between both events.

A volcano is an independent system and each one needs to be monitored and studied in its own context, he pointed out.

For his part, the Igf director, Hugo Delgado, stressed the importance of investing resources in research and volcanic instrumentation, in order to maintain knowledge and vigilance.

It is the best way to protect the population and the best product that the scientific community can offer, he expressed at a press conference.

He added that the Volcan de Fuego is one of the most active in Central America and the continent.

It is 155 kilometers from Tapachula, Chiapas, relatively close to Mexican territory, but not enough to fear primary damages on this side.

Some side effects such as ash fall if they could reach Mexico if the eruption were larger, as it happened in 1902, said De la Cruz. (Cadenagramonte)