Volcanoes VI: Monitoring, Prediction and Preparedness

Warning and Duration Types

• volcanic eruptions have a much longer warning phase before their onset, and eruptions can last much longer than other natural hazards

Hazard Maps

1. map volcanic deposits
2. determine deposit type ( lava flow, mud flow (lahar), pyroclastic flow, etc.)
3. determine age of deposits and eruption frequency
4. consider the risk

Monitoring

• examples of things we can monitor:
  • seismology (earthquakes)
  • ground deformation (volcano changes shapes)
  • gas emission
  • thermal imaging
  • lahar flow detection
  • satellite observation

Hazard Mitigation

• since we have much more warning of volcanic eruptions than other hazards, we should prioritize:
  • sensible zoning/regulation
  • safe distance from different hazards
  • ex: distance above, beside river, lahar channels
  • warning systems and procedures

Volcano Alert-Level System

• operated by US Geological Survey
• notifications if a status is changed issued through US Volcano Observatories (five = Alaska, California, Cascades, Hawaii, Yellowstone)

Preparedness: What To Do

• some volcanic hazards are easily avoidable
• lava flow = walk away
  • avoid moving perpendicular to flow direction in case there are other flows
• some are more difficult
  • pyroclastic flows and lahars
  • ideally, there will be a warning of an eruption = get out of valleys to higher ground away from volcano
  • move perpendicular to the flow direction (gets you out of the way fastest)
  • if possible, drive instead of walk
  • lahars = get away from rivers
  • lahars can travel very far and pick up speed in rivers

What To Do - Pyroclastic Fall

• ash is the primary hazard for anyone not in direct vicinity of volcano
  • close all outside doors, windows, and fireplace dampers
  • turn off fans and heating/ AC systems
  • keep the air in your house as clean as possible
  • wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, a well fitting M-95 mask, and goggles
  • don’t drive in heavy ash fall (dangerous and exhaust can stir up ash)
  • if you have to, close windows and turn off heat/ AC

What To Do

• general disaster planning still applies:
  • before:
  • put together an emergency preparedness kit
  • be aware of nearby volcano alert level
  • during:
  • follow evacuation orders
  • after:
  • stay indoors until instructed to leave
  • assess damage

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