Millions of people live in areas of the world where volcanic eruptions and/or earthquakes are a constant threat.
Most tectonic hazards occur on plate margins and those margins just happen to coincide with areas that have many advantages for humans, such as flat coastal areas that are favorable for settlement and trade.
A benefit of living in an active volcanic region is the very fertile soil that is formed there, for example, oranges, lemons, olives, and grapevines are all grown on the slopes of Mt Etna in Italy. Rich mineral deposits and hot springs are also found near active volcanoes, a good example of where people use this for economic benefit is Rotorua in New Zealand, which draws huge numbers of tourists to see the Wai-O-Tapu thermal springs. Iceland generates a quarter of its electricity via harnessing geothermal energy. Earthquakes create fault lines that can allow groundwater to reach the surface, this can also be beneficial to people who live there.
Most people do not really have a choice about where they live, they may have been born there and work there, all their family is there and it is their home. This is a powerful reason not to leave compared to the fact that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are very rare and therefore not considered to be a great threat. Some people have little knowledge of the potential devastation, whilst others feel that they are prepared for a tectonic event because their buildings have been constructed to be earthquake resistant and their local authorities have a planning, prediction and preparedness programme. In the case of volcanic eruptions and tsunami, evacuation warnings can be given and this mitigates the risk.
