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Learn About Volcanoes - Q & A

Which eruptions were the deadliest?


Deadliest Volcanic Eruptions Since 1500 A.D.

Eruption Year Casualties Major Cause
Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia 1985 25,0001,3 Mudflows3
Mont Pelée, Martinique 1902 30,0001 (29,025)2 Pyroclastic flows2
Krakatau, Indonesia 1883 36,0001 (36,417)2 Tsunami2
Tambora, Indonesia 1815 92,0001,2 Starvation2
Unzen, Japan 1792 15,0001 (14,030)2 Volcano collapse,
Tsunami2
Lakagigar (Laki), Iceland 1783 9,0001 (9,350)2 Starvation2
Kelut, Indonesia 1586 10,0001  

Other Notable Eruptions

Eruption Year Casualties Major Cause
Mount Pinatubo, Philippines 1991 3503 Roof Collapse3
Mount St. Helens, Washington 1980 573 Asphyxiation from ash
Kilauea, Hawaii 1924 11 Falling rock1
Lassen Peak, California 1915 04  
Mount Vesuvius, Italy 79 A.D. 3,3602 Pyroclastic Flow2

Sources:



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06/11/08, Lyn Topinka