Kilauea in Hawaii shows signs of activity. Mt. Hood is starting to act like Mt. St. Helens did in 1980, but Mt. Hood is just 40 miles from the metropalitan area. America's largest volcano is stirring. There are three volcano types. While it may be feasible to safeguard populations, social, political, cultural, economic factors have to be considered.
Planners have to weigh the impact of restrictive measures in and about the volcano.
Such measures are sure to hurt vested interests such as those of landowners or communities dependent on the tourist trade. Volcanoes are known to emit millions of tons of ash containing high concentrations of sulfur dioxide. Volcanic eruptions are thought to have changed the earth's climate for years after major eruptions. Examples include Tambora in 1815 and Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Risk Management Information about how prepared the State of Washington is for a Mt. Rainier disaster might take quite a bit of research.