The 2009 Pliny for Volcanic Event of the Year goes to ...

2009 is over! If you missed the Volcanic Year in Review, check out my summary of the volcanic events that captivated many of us over the past year. However, only one event will get the coveted 2009 Pliny for Volcanic Event of the Year. A lot of you wrote in with votes and comments - I thank you - and a number of events stood out in your mind. Here we go: Honorable mention A few volcanic events got multiple votes: - Soufriere Hills on Montserrat. - Mando Hararo in Ethiopia. - Chaiten, Chile and the new research on the eruption. - The earthquakes in western Saudi Arabia under the Harrat Lunayyir volcanic field. The Top 54 (tied): West Mata and Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai