DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Volcanic eruptions happen when

lava and gas are discharged from a
volcanic vent.
The most common consequences
of this are population movements
as large numbers of people are
often forced to flee the moving
lava flow.
Volcanic eruptions often cause
temporary food shortages and
volcanic ash landslides called
Lahar.
The most dangerous type of volcanic
eruption is referred to as a 'glowing
avalanche'.
This is when freshly erupted magma
forms hot pyroclastic flow which have
temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees.
The pyroclastic flow is formed from
rock fragments following a volcanic
explosion , the flow surges down the
flanks of the volcano at speeds of up
to several hundred kilometres per
hour, to distances often up to 10km
and occasionally as far as 40 km from
the original disaster site.
During a volcanic
eruption, lava, tephra (ash, lapilli, vol
canic bombs and blocks), and various
gases are expelled from a volcanic
vent or fissure.
These are often named after
famous volcanoes where that type of
behavior has been observed. Some
volcanoes may exhibit only one
characteristic type of eruption during a
period of activity, while others may
display an entire sequence of types all
in one eruptive series.


Three different metatypes of
eruptions:
Magmatic Eruption
Phreatomagmatic Eruptions
Phreatic Eruption
Magmatic Eruption
most well-observed
which involve the decompression
of gas within magma that propels
it forward.
Phreatomagmatic Eruptions
driven by the compression of gas
within magma, the direct opposite of
the process powering magmatic
activity.
Phreatic Eruption
is driven by the
superheating of steam via contact
with magma; these eruptive types
often exhibit no magmatic release,
instead causing the granulation of
existing rock.

Eruption mechanisms
Diagram showing the scale of VEIcorrelation with total ejecta volume.

Volcanic eruptions arise
through three main
mechanisms:
Gas release under decompression
causing magmatic eruptions.
Thermal contraction from chilling on
contact with water
causing phreatomagmatic eruptions.
Ejection of entrained particles
during steam eruptions
causing phreatic eruptions
Two types of eruptions in terms of
activity:
1. Explosive eruptions--are characterized by
gas-driven explosions that
propels magma and tephra.
2. Effusive eruptions--are characterized by the
outpouring of lava without significant
explosive eruption.

Key Facts About Preparing for a
Volcanic Eruption
You can do many things to protect yourself
and your family from the dangers a volcanic
eruption can cause. The best way to protect
yourself and your family is to follow the advice
of local officials. Local authorities will give you
information on how to prepare for a volcanic
eruption, and if necessary, on how to evacuate
(leave the area) or take shelter where you are.

How to prepare
Emergency Supply Kit:
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Manual (nonelectric) can opener
Essential medicines
Sturdy shoes
Respiratory (breathing) protection
Eye protection (goggles)
Battery-powered radio

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF VOLCANIC
ERUPTION
Before:
Learn about your community warning systems and emergency
plans.
Be prepared for the hazards that can accompany volcanoes:
Mudflows and flash floods
Landslides and rockfalls
Earthquakes
Ashfall and acid rain
Tsunamis
Make evacuation plans.
If you live in a known volcanic hazard area, plan a route out
and have a backup route in mind.

Develop an emergency communication plan.
In case family members are separated from one another during a volcanic
eruption (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and
children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact,"
because after a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure
everyone knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact
person.
Have disaster supplies on hand:
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Non-electric can opener
Essential medicines
Dust mask
Sturdy shoes

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF VOLCANIC
ERUPTION
Get a pair of goggles and a throw-away
breathing mask for each member of the
household in case of ashfall.
Although it may seem safe to stay at home
and wait out an eruption, if you are in a
hazardous zone, doing so could be very
dangerous. Stay safe. Follow authorities'
instructions and put your disaster plan into
action.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF VOLCANIC
ERUPTION
During:
Follow the evacuation order issued by authorities.
Avoid areas downwind and river valleys downstream of the
volcano.
If caught indoors:
Close all windows, doors, and dampers.
Put all machinery inside a garage or barn.
Bring animals and livestock into closed shelters
If trapped outdoors:
Seek shelter indoors.
If caught in a rockfall, roll into a ball to protect your head.
If caught near a stream, be aware of mudflows. Move upslope,
especially if you hear the roar of a mudflow.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF VOLCANIC
ERUPTION
Protect yourself during ashfall:
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Use goggles to protect your eyes.
Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help
breathing.
Keep car or truck engines off.
Stay out of the area defined as a restricted zone by
government officials.
Effects of a volcanic eruption can be experienced many miles
from a volcano. Mudflows and flash flooding, wildland fires, and
even deadly hot ashflow can reach you even if you cannot see
the volcano during an eruption. Avoid river valleys and low lying
areas. Trying to watch an erupting volcano up close is a deadly
idea.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF VOLCANIC
ERUPTION
If you see the water level of a stream begin to rise, quickly
move to high ground. If a mudflow is approaching or passes
a bridge, stay away from the bridge.
Mudflows are powerful "rivers" of mud that can move 20 to 40
miles-per-hour. Hot ash or lava from a volcanic eruption can
rapidly melt snow and ice at the summit of a volcano. The melt
water quickly mixes with falling ash, with soil cover on lower
slopes, and with debris in its path. This turbulent mixture is
dangerous in stream channels and can travel more than 50 miles
away from a volcano. Also intense rainfall can erode fresh
volcanic deposits to form large mudflows.
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the
latest emergency information.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF VOLCANIC
ERUPTION
After:
If possible, stay away from volcanic ashfall areas.
When outside:
Cover your mouth and nose. Volcanic ash can irritate your
respiratory system.
Wear goggles to protect your eyes.
Keep skin covered to avoid irritation from contact with ash.
Clear roofs of ashfall:
Ashfall is very heavy and can cause buildings to collapse.
Exercise great caution when working on a roof.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF VOLCANIC
ERUPTION
Avoid driving in heavy ashfall.
Driving will stir up more ash that can clog engines and
stall vehicles.
If you have a respiratory ailment, avoid contact
with any amount of ash. Stay indoors until local
health officials advise it is safe to go outside.
Remember to help our neighbors who may
require special assistance -- infants, elderly
people, and people with disabilities.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF VOLCANIC
ERUPTION

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