Case Study: Volcanic Eruption Management
Managing volcanic eruptions
- The management of eruptions involves:
- Prediction
- Preparation
- Planning
- Short term relief
- Management of the risk and the eruption itself is different dependent on whether the country is developed or developing/emerging
Developing - Mount Merapi, Indonesia
| Prediction and Monitoring | Preparation and Planning | Short-Term Relief |
|
Equipment included: Seismograph - installed in 1924, 9km from Mount Merapi Tiltmeters - used around the volcano to detect changes ground levels Satellites - used to detect lava dome growth, heat of rising magma |
Military and police were trained to organise evacuation |
Evacuation centres were set up but many were overcrowded and had issues with sanitation |
| There are five observation stations on the volcano with gas samples being regularly taken | Temporary shelters were ready for evacuees |
1600 people were part of the national response |
| Local people relied on traditional warning signs of ash/smoke plumes, changes in animal behaviour | Many people in 2010 ignored evacuation advice as they did not believe the scientific evidence |
International aid from NGOs such as Red Cross and Oxfam |
- After the 2010 eruption there were some changes to the planning and preparation for a future eruption, these included
- Evacuation training
- 2500 families were relocated to safer areas
- Distribution of handheld radios to improve communication of eruption warnings
- Roads and bridges have been improved
- New evacuation centres were created
Developed - La Palma, Canary Islands
| Prediction and Monitoring | Preparation and Planning | Short-Term Relief |
|
Seismic monitoring networks |
Long term hazard assessment conducted in 2015 anticipated the location of new vents and type of eruption - this was not used to plan for the eruption |
Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) was activated to support the emergency response - resulting in the evacuation of 7,000 people |
| Satellites are used to detect lava dome growth, heat of rising magma | Emergency plans | Emergency Operations Centre |
| Gas samples are regularly taken | Disaster training | Volcano Risk Prevention Plan (Pevolca) |
- After the 2015 eruption there were some changes to the planning and preparation for a future eruption, these included:
- More use of hazard risk mapping
- Improvement of water and power supply infrastructure
