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