Since large eruptions are rare, to understand the wider spectrum of volcanic activity requires delving into the past. The preceding chapter outlined how the rock record, combined with assorted proxies for climatic and environmental conditions such as tree rings and ice cores, yields tremendous information on the nature and atmospheric impacts of past eruptions. This chapter extends the theme of ‘forensic volcanology’ by examining what can be learnt of the complex and long-term interactions and intersections between people, volcanoes and volcanic activity. In this regard, both archaeology and memories and records of eruptions in oral or inscribed forms offer a mine of information since they offer insights into both the physical aspects of past eruptions and social responses to living on volcanoes. The investigation and scope of these sources is introduced here.

Not only can impacts of some of the very largest eruptions be examined – events more extreme than anything seen in the historic period – but it is possible to evaluate how different societies have flourished, coped, declined or collapsed in the face of eruptions of different style and scale.