SciAm: Supervolcanoes in the Ancient World

A Scientific American piece relays the fact that 4 VEI-7 (Volcanic Explosivity Index where an 8 means that civilization will collapse) volcanoes have erupted in the last 2000 years. Says the writer: "it would be prudent to identify high-risk volcanoes and prepare for such events." Agreed. Not expecting that preparation by governments though. If you want protection from VEI-7 eruptions it is up to you to stockpile some food. The last such eruption was Tambora in 1815. Then 1816 became known as "the year without summer". Want to prepare for the collapse of global agriculture? It is fun to do the numbers. Suppose you want to stockpile your VEI-7 volcanic eruption survival calories as olive oil (you could always trade...

Source: FuturePundit - April 18, 2013 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Randall Parker Source Type: blogs