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TOP TEN COSTLIEST GLOBAL VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS, 1970-2013 (1)
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($ millions)

Rank Year Event Affected country Overall losses Insured losses Fatalities
1 1993 Eruption of Unzen Japan $1,500 $130 1
2 1980 Explosion Mt. St. Helens United States 860 31 57
3 1991 Eruption of Pinatubo Philippines 750 70 875
4 1995/1996, 2003 Eruption of Soufrière Hills Montserrat 430 50 19
5 2010 Eruption of Mt. Merapi Indonesia 380 NA 353
6 1994 Eruption of Tavurvur, Rabalanakaia Papua New Guinea 300 66 4
7 1985 Eruption of Nevado del Ruiz Colombia 230 NA 25,000
8 1973 Eruption of Helgafell Iceland 200 NA NA
9 2006 Eruption of Tungurahua Ecuador 150 NA 6
10 1983 Eruption of Gamalama Indonesia 150 NA NA

(1) Ranked on overall losses.

NA=Data not available.

Source: Munich Re, GeoRisks Research, NatCatSERVICE. As of August 2014.

 

Archived Tables

THE TEN COSTLIEST VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS, 1970-2009
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($ millions)

Rank Year Event Affected country Overall losses Insured losses Fatalities
1 1993 Eruption of Unzen Japan $1,500 $130 1
2 1980 Explosion Mt. St. Helens United States 860 27 57
3 1991 Eruption of Pinatubo Philippines 750 70 875
4 1995/1996, 2003 Eruption of Soufriere Hills Montserrat 430 50 19
5 1994 Eruption of Tavurvur, Rabalanakaia Papua New Guinea 300 66 4
6 1985 Eruption of Nevado del Ruiz Colombia 230 NA 25,000
7 1973 Eruption of Helgafell Iceland 200 NA NA
8 2006 Eruption of Tungurahua Ecuador 150 NA 6
9 1983 Eruption of Gamalama Indonesia 150 NA NA
10 1983 Eruption of Oyama Japan 100 NA NA

NA=Data not available.

Source: Munich Re, GeoRisks Research, NatCatSERVICE. As of April 2010.