Alaska's Pavlof erupting on June 3, 2014. Photo by Paul Horn / AVO-USGS 2014 is in the past, but before we dive headlong into 2015, it is time to unveil the 2014 Pliny for Volcanic Event of the Year. I received well over 100 votes for the competition and have compiled the results ... so now for the countdown. Here's the past winners of the Pliny: 2009: Sarychev Peak2010: Eyjafjallajökull2011: Puyehue-Cordón Caulle2012: Tolbachik2013: Etna Just as a refresher on the voting: the ranking is weighted, where a first place vote got 10 points, second place got 5 points and 3rd place (or lower) got 1 point. Honorable Mention (all the volcanoes that received votes): Kawah Ijen, Mayon, Pavlof (see above), Popocatépetl, Sangeang Api, Shiveluch, Tavurvur, Tungurahua#10: Turrialba, Costa Rica (11 points)
The steaming crater of Costa Rica's Turrialba, seen on November 4, 2014. Photo by OVSICORI-UNA Over the past few years, Turrialba has been Costa Rica's most restless volcano. This restlessness culminated this year in Turrialba's largest explosive eruption since 1866 that produced a plume that reached over 6 km (20,000 feet). When the weather permits, you can watch the activity at Turrialba on the OVSICORI webcam. #9: Etna, Italy (21 points)
