'Risk of major volcanic damage is far greater than the low chance of an asteroid hit'

The eruption in Tonga in January was the largest ever instrumentally recorded and if it had gone on longer or released more ash or gas, the global shockwaves could have been devastating. Picture: Maxar Technologies via AP

Climate change "whiplash" from huge volcanic eruptions would exacerbate extreme weather patterns, one of Ireland's foremost experts has said — as Cambridge researchers warn the world is "woefully underprepared" for such events.

The University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) warned in the Nature journal that there is a misconception the risks of major eruptions of potentially lethal volcanoes are low, and accordingly, there has been apathy when it comes to preparing for it.