What do Naples, Tokyo, Seattle, Hilo, Mexico City, Auckland, Quito and Managua have in common? They are all major cities located on or close to active volcanoes that have erupted in the last 1,000 years and could erupt again soon. What will happen when one of these volcanoes erupts? What are the similarities and differences between these volcanic threats? How have these cities responded to (or ignored) these volcanic threats? What are the factors that lead people to settle in the shadow of an active volcano? We’ll discuss these and other topics related to volcanic hazards.