· Most active volcanoes are now in repose. They have had no volcanic activity in months, years, decades, centuries or millennia. This can pose a problem when scientists attempt to assemble time series pattern. We may know the dates of major pre-historic eruptive events, but we have little idea of the sequence of minor events preceding and immediately following major eruptions. This information would be highly useful in identifying and predicting eruptions at these volcanoes for the future. Examples of particularly dangerous volcanoes currently in repose include Mt. Ranier in Washington (due to its propensity for large volcanic mudslides which might affect highly populated areas surrounding Seattle), Mt. Teide in the Canary Islands (due partly to its threat of collapse into the ocean), and the iconic Mt. Fuji in Japan which, like Rainier, lies within close proximity of very populated areas.
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| Mt. Rainier from the Seattle area. Volcanic debris flows are known to have reached Puget Sound from past eruptions. For now, all is relatively quiet. |
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| Mt. Fuji over Tokyo |
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| El Teide in the Canary Islands poses a threat to the entire Atlantic Basin. Should one of its flanks collapse, it could create a tsunami that would affect the entire Eastern Seaboard of the US. |
