Integrating Efforts in Latin America: Asociacion Latinoamericana de Volcanologı´a (ALVO)

DELGADO GRANADOS H.; JOSE G. VIRAMONTE; J.L. PALMA

Volcanic Hazards, Risk and Disasters

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2014; p. 461 - 494

The Latin American region (LAR) comprises 11 countries with volcanoes characterized by a high frequency of eruptive activity. Several important eruptions have occurred within LAR in the last century with a large impact on human life, society, infrastructure, and the environment. The volcanic disasters have forced scientists and governments to find better ways to cope with eruptive phenomena. The cultural background of the LAR people as well as the usage of a common language has facilitated the communication of experiences about eruptions. It was needed, however, to establish scientific, technical, and political ties to connect volcanologists, volcanological organizations, and institutions of the region. So, Asociacion Latinoamericana de Volcanologıa was created as an association pursuing an amelioration of volcanology in the LAR for the benefit of the society. This chapter describes the integration efforts for a stronger volcanology in LAR, starting from reflections made under the SWOT (strengths,½AU1 weaknesses, opportunities, threats) methodology.