The last supervolcano eruption in Lake Toba took place more than 70,000 years ago. According to one highly-contested theory it may have wiped out more than half of the planet’s population; in any case the effect on the world would be dramatic.
“This is something that, as a species, we will eventually have to deal with. It will happen in future,” said Dr Malfait.
“You could compare it to an asteroid impact - the risk at any given time is small, but when it happens the consequences will be catastrophic.”