Although it may not take lives, it can, and may even be, more lethal than an actual volcano. How about the atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki as an example. The Japanese themselves killed some millions of Chinese in World War Two. Atrocities by man upon himself can do more than natural disasters. Major eruptions cause more permanent losses, such as loss of body parts, permanent separation from loved ones and even loss of one's own life.
Catastrophic eruptions cause large scale wars, massacres and other forms of unimaginable sufferings.
You may survive many minor eruptions but one major one is enough to drive quite a few people off their rockers. Look deep into your heart and you will know what I mean. Look at all the other walking volcanoes around you, and at the instability of the world, and you will be convinced. The fires of greed, hatred and delusion run deep in everyone's veins. A dormant volcano can sleep through centuries, but these defilements spew out dirt everyday.