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Volcanoes against Communities In Portland, we live only 80 kilometers from an active volcano; Mount St. Helens. It is important to know how an eruption from a volcano could affect our daily lives. Since the eruption in May of 1980 of Mount St. Helens, geologists have come to a better understanding of both the mechanics of volcanoes and the dangers they present to the environment and communities. This better understanding will in the future help public authorities take action to lessen the consequences of a major eruption. In this paper, I will explain the process that produces volcanic eruptions and the hazards they present. I will also explore how government and other authorities have taken action in past volcanic eruptions to prevent or lessen the consequences of these events. Volcanoes and What they Produce The term volcano refers to a mountain or hill formed by the accumulation of materials erupted through one or more openings in the earth’s surface and the openings themselves (Encarta). Volcanic activity can last from thousands of years to just a few weeks, but eventually all volcanoes will become extinct (Zeilinga de Boer, 7). When volcanoes erupt they produce three types of material; lava, gases and tephra whic