Final answer:
People continue to live in the shadow of dangerous volcanoes because some provide manageable risks, the cost of relocation is high, and there's an attachment to the land, which is often fertile. Improved prediction and monitoring, along with restricted zones, can mitigate risks. However, the potential for disaster remains, as history and recent events illustrate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some volcanoes, like those in Hawaii, erupt effusively, allowing lava to flow down their flanks rather than explosive eruptions, which residents are familiar with and prepared for. In contrast, volcanoes in Sumatra and Java can be extremely hazardous, yet due to the dense population in Indonesia, relocation can be challenging. The risks can be mitigated with careful observation, prediction of volcanic activity, and enforcement of restricted zones, as exemplified by the monitoring before the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. Despite the risks, many people live near subduction zones and faults because of the difficulty in encouraging mass relocations and the costs associated with such an endeavor. Moreover, some people may not perceive the daily threat, being accustomed to their surroundings or economically tied to the land, which may be fertile due to past volcanic activity. Furthermore, historical tragedies like the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD remind us of the sudden and deadly nature of volcanic eruptions. However, with today's technology, scientists can offer some level of prediction that can potentially save lives. Even with these advances, natural disasters can still provoke widespread devastation, as seen in the impact of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami on nuclear facilities in Japan.