The U.S. Needs To Address The Threat Posed By Volcanos, Says The Congressional Hazards Caucus 

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 4:42PM
Talk Radio News Service (Admin) in Antonia Aguilar, Congressional Hazards Caucus, News/Commentary, Volcano Hazards

By Antonia Aguilar - University of New Mexico / Talk Radio News

In the wake of the eruption in Iceland, the Congressional Hazards Caucus held a press briefing Wednesday to make the case for a better system to monitor volcanic activity in the U.S.

“Because volcanic eruptions are such a serious threat, our nation needs to commit the same kinds of resources that we muster to combat floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, tsunamis and wildfires," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski ( R-Alaska), whose state is home to active volcanos.

According to U.S. Geological Survey, America harbors 169 active volcanos, 55 of which are considered highly threatening. However, according to the Caucus, monitoring systems that are being used to track volcanos in the U.S. are either outdated or insufficient, despite potentially life-saving advances in technology.

In response to the inadequacy of current monitoring systems, Murkowski has proposed legislation to establish a National Volcano Early Warning System that will fund better monitoring instruments in needed areas.

Article originally appeared on Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media (http://www.talkradionews.com/).