Abrupt climatic changes as triggering mechanisms of massive volcanic collapses

Abrupt climate change can trigger volcanic collapses, phenomena that cause the destruction of the entire sector of a volcano, including its summit. During the past 30 ka, major volcanic collapses occurred just after main glacial peaks that ended with rapid deglaciation. Glacial debuttressing, load discharge and fluid circulation coupled with the post-glacial increase of humidity and heavy rains can activate the failure of unstable edifices. Furthermore, significant global warming can be responsible for the collapse of ice-capped unstable volcanoes, an unpredictable hazard that in few minutes can bury inhabited areas. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.