HONOLULU — The U.S. Senate has passed legislation aimed at improving the country’s volcano monitoring and early warning capabilities.
The measure would strengthen existing volcano monitoring systems and unify them under one connected system.
It also would create a Volcano Watch Office, which would operate around the clock, to monitor all active volcanoes in the U.S. and U.S. territories.
The measure still must be approved by the U.S. House.
Washington state Sen. Maria Cantwell says her state has five of the highest-threat volcanoes in the nation.
She says Thursday’s eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is a reminder that volcanoes are a persistent and serious threat.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono also backed the measure.