Paul Cragg, Pete Rowley , Samuel J Mitchell

With a global economy dependent on marine traffic there has been little study or recognition of the risk posed to this industry by volcanism. Most major shipping lanes pass close to active volcanoes, or through straits and channels which can be impacted by volcanic debris. In this paper we set out the main hazards presented by volcanoes to shipping, and reflect on the magnitude of risk that these pose.
There is a demonstrated track record of losses and damages caused by volcanic events in the past, and as shipping volumes increase, the exposure to similar events in the future also increases. As remote sensing techniques and observation of active volcanism improves, the occurrence of marine volcanic events has clearly been under-reported. We suggest there is a dangerous lack of recognition of the scale of the risk posed to the marine transport industry, and to the supply chains it feeds.