This week
Geol9 is exploring the volcanic hazards in different countries and their
warning systems. I’ll be focusing on the US.
There are several ways we
minimize the danger of volcanic activity (apart from the obvious of ‘getting
out of the way’…(J:
·
Forecasting (earthquakes as early warnings -although in 2014 a Japanese
volcano erupted without any previous seismicity (livescience
article), land swelling before eruption, gas emissions, etc.)
·
Volcanic Alert Codes (USGS): the levels of alert and the aviation
code levels commonly change at the same time (chart on right). A non-erupting
volcano will have a green icon, and a red one indicates an imminent eruption
(see USGS Alert Codes).
Today the USGS hazards map shows four U.S. volcanoes as to be above
normal background (elevated unrest or eruptions; see below) or have shown activity that
warranted an Information Release (for example, an earthquake swarm). Scientists from the five regional volcano observatories of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program participate in
developing these plans with state and local governments of at-risk areas. If
volcanic unrest or an eruption occurs, scientists from the observatories will
keep state and local officials informed of potential hazards so that
coordination and response plans can be updated as needed:
Bogoslof, Kilauea, and Cleveland- Alert Level=WATCH.
Aviation Color Code=Orange. Note: Kilauea has been erupting for 34 years!
Mauna Loa Alert Level=ADVISORY. Aviation Color Code=Yellow.
