When did Smithsonian reporting on current volcanic activity begin?
Smithsonian reporting on current volcanic activity began in 1968. The Center for Short-Lived Phenomena started tracking these events that year to establish a permanent institution.
Questions about Global Volcanism Program
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Where is the Global Volcanism Program located within the Smithsonian Institution?
The program resides within the Department of Mineral Sciences at the National Museum of Natural History on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This location provides a stable home for geological data and historical records.
What time period does the GVP database cover regarding known volcanoes?
The GVP database includes all known volcanoes that have erupted within the past 10,000 years. These records form the basis for understanding Earth's geologic history during the Quaternary Period.
How often are detailed reports published by the Global Volcanism Network?
Detailed reports on various volcanoes appear monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network. Initial chaos from early eruption stages transforms into structured scientific knowledge through this system.
Which editions of Volcanoes of the World were published based on GVP data?
Three print editions of Volcanoes of the World were published based on the GVP data in 1981, 1994 and 2010. A fifth edition is available at the GVP website today with regular updates.