Active volcanoes can generate multiple types of geological hazards. Besides syneruptive threats (e.g., lava, pyroclastic flows or ash fall), other adverse events such as landslides or lahars can occur at any time. To manage these threats efficiently, three key objectives must be jointly addressed: (1) improving prevention tools, through the collection and acquisition of data on hazards and risks, and its dissemination as maps and scenarios; (2) improving crisis management capabilities, based on monitoring and early warning systems, but also reliable communications systems; and (3) reducing people’s vulnerability and developing recovery and resilience capabilities after an event has occurred. The special issue “Approaches and methods to improve risk management in volcanic areas” presents research results focusing on these three objectives. It demonstrates the utility of addressing them jointly, and particularly examines the case of volcanoes where little knowledge is available. These results were presented at the conference Integrated Approaches for Volcanic Risk Management (Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, 11/12 September 2012) of the European MIAVITA (MItigate and Assess risk from Volcanic Impact on Terrain and human Activities) project.