In volcanology, the period 1991-1994 was very busy, with many
active volcanoes keeping pace with the higher-than-average
frequency of eruptions (about 60-70 per year) recorded during the
late 1970's to the late 1980's ( Simkin, 1993). Some large
and violent eruptions occurred in well populated areas but these
passed without the higher death tolls caused by eruptions in the
previous decade, a reflection perhaps of increased volcanic hazard
awareness, improved prediction and monitoring, and better
communication between volcanologists and public officials (
Peterson and Tilling, 1993). The loss of human life was limited
to a little over 1000, with perhaps 
750 of these attributable
to the Mount Pinatubo eruption on Luzon in the Philippines. Many
were killed by post-eruption phenomena, such as mudflows, and by
disease in the displaced populations. This large eruption, which
had a world-wide atmospheric impact, dominates the picture of
volcanism in the early 1990's. However, significant eruptions also
occurred at Hudson, Unzen, Spurr, Redoubt, Hekla, Mayon, Galeras,
Rabaul, Kliuchevskoi, Etna (the most voluminous lava outpourings
this century), and many other volcanoes. Here we assess the
current state of volcano monitoring and hazard awareness against a
backdrop of the eruptions of the past four years, and take a look
at future developments, stressing new techniques in the field of
remote sensing.