Volcanic eruptions so far in 2008

I've been indulging myself in a little research, just as a matter of intellectual curiosity. How many volcanoes erupt in any given year, and does this correlate with anything else? So far this year there have been over 54 major eruptions, as listed below. All compiled from the Smithsonian Institute records and other reputable sources.

Volcano         Eruption Date  Location    
Shiveluch             26 Sept  Kamchatka
Piton De La Fournaise 22 Sept  Indian Ocean
Mayon                 11 Aug   Philippines
Asama                 10 Aug   Japan
Kasatochi              8 Aug   Aleutian Is.
Chikurachi            29 July  Kurile Is.
Reventador            29 July  Ecuador
Okmok                 12 July  Aleutian Is.
San Cristobal         22 June  Nicaragua
Masaya                18 June  Nicaragua
Soputan                6 June  Sulawesi
Cerro Azul            30 May   Galapagos Is.
Dukono                29 May   Halmahera
Semeru                20 May   Java
Chaiten               10 May   Chile
Egon                  15 April Indonesia
Karymsky              27 March Kamchatka
Kerinci               24 March Sumatra
Mt. Etna              12 March Sicily
Garbuna Group         11 March New Britain
Bagana                 3 March Bougainville
Lopevi                24 Feb   South Pacific
Veniaminof            22 Feb   Alaska
Heard Is.             22 Feb   Indian Ocean
Mt. Cleveland          8 Feb   Aleutian Is.
Erta Ale               8 Feb   Ethiopia
Suwanose-Jima          7 Feb   Japan
Anatahan               5 Feb   Mariana Is.
Guagua Pichincha       1 Feb   Ecuador
Poas                  22 Jan   East Africa
Krakatau              21 Jan   Indonesia
Galeras               17 Jan   Colombia
Ubinas                14 Jan   Peru
Ol Doinyo Lengai      14 Jan   East Africa
Santa Maria           10 Jan   Guatemala
Fuego                 10 Jan   Guatemala
Soufriere Hills       10 Jan   West Indies
Pacaya                10 Jan   Guatemala
Rabaul                10 Jan   New Britain
Huila                  7 Jan   Colombia
Miyake-Jima            6 Jan   Japan
Sakura-Jima            6 Jan   Japan
Sheveluch              3 Jan   Kamchatka
Bezymianny             3 Jan   Kamchatka
Llaima                 2 Jan   Chile
Colima                 1 Jan   Mexico
Mt. St. Helens         1 Jan   United States
Kilauea                1 Jan   Hawaii
Mt. Erebus             1 Jan   Antarctica
Popocatepetl           1 Jan   Mexico
Arenal                 1 Jan   Costa Rica
Stromboli              1 Jan   Italy
Tungurahua             1 Jan   Ecuador
Yasur                  1 Jan   Vanuatu

All those Volcanoes pumping Gigatons of CO2, SO2, various other gases and particulate matter up to and over 8000 metres into the atmosphere. Kind of makes you feel small doesn't it? Will post more detailed figures as they are compiled, and when I can be bothered to work out how blogger can be persuaded to handle html tables.

Anyway. Sister in law is in town with husband, and he and I are going fishing tomorrow before the girls rejoin the boys for a nice supper and bragging session. All this and Jamesons's Irish Whiskey. Life feels pretty good right now.