By the year 2000, the population worldwide at risk from volcanic hazards is likely to increase to about half a billion. Since 1980, significant advances have been made in volcano monitoring, data from which provide the sole scientific basis for eruption prediction. In this book, internationally renowned specialists provide 25 comprehensive articles covering a wide range of related topics: monitoring techniques and data analysis; modelling of monitoring data and eruptive pheneomena; volcanic hazards and risk assessment; and volcanic emergency management. Reviews of selected case histories of recent volcanic disasters demenostrate that effective communication - between scientists, civil authorities, news media and population - are essential to reduce volcanic risks.