DISASTER
READINESS
AND RISK
REDUCTION
(Week 6)
Volcanic Hazard
A volcano is a mountain where lava (hot, liquid rock)
comes from a magma chamber under the ground. A
volcano usually has a summit, a slope and base.
Most volcanoes have a volcanic crater at the top. When
they are active, materials pour out of it. This includes lava,
steam, gaseous compounds of sulphur, ash and broken
rock pieces.
Volcanoes erupt when magma and pressure come
together, and the pressure blows off the top of the solid
rock, and the magma pours out.
Types of Volcanoes: SHIELD VOLCANOES
Shield or Basaltic volcanoes are built out of layers of lava from
continual eruptions (without explosions). Because the lava is so
fluid, it spreads out, often over a wide area. Shield volcanoes do
not grow to a great height, and the layers of lava spread out to
give the volcano gently sloping sides. Shield volcanoes can
produce huge areas of basalt, which is usually what lava is when
cooled.
Even though their sides are not very steep, shield volcanoes can
be huge. Mauna Kea in Hawaii is the biggest mountain on Earth.
If it is measured from its base on the floor of the sea, Mauna
Kea is even taller than Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on
land.
Basaltic / Shield Volcano
Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland MT. MAUNA KEA, HAWAII
Types of Volcanoes: STRATOVOLCANOES
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall,
conical volcano. It is built up of many layers of hardened lava,
tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash.
Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes have a steep profile
and periodic eruptions. The lava that flows from
stratovolcanoes cools and hardens before spreading far. It is
sticky, that is, it has high viscosity. The magma forming this
lava is often felsic, with high-to-intermediate levels of silica,
and less mafic magma. Big felsic lava flows are uncommon,
but have travelled as far as 15 km (9.3 mi).
STRATOVOLCANOES
MT. FUJI, JAPAN
Types of Volcanoes: CALDERA
A caldera is what is left when a huge stratovolcano blows its top
off. It leaves a crater where the top of the volcano was before.
Krakatoa, best known for its catastrophic eruption in 1883, is
much smaller now.
Collapsed Volcanoes
Magma chamber has emptied and the ground has sunk
Often becomes a lake
New volcanoes can form, or pressure can build from below,
lifting the ground
If acidic, this can cause a catastrophic eruption in the form of a
’Super Volcano’
Caldera Volcanoes
Mount Pinatubo, Phillipines MT. KRAKATOA, HAWAII
Classification of Volcanoes
A traditional way to classify or identify
volcanoes is by its pattern of eruptions. Those
volcanoes which may erupt again at any time
are called active. Those that are now quiet
called dormant (inactive). Those volcanos
which have not erupted in historical times are
called extinct.
Classification of Volcanoes
ACTIVE VOLCANOES - An active volcano is currently erupting, or it
has erupted in the last 10,000 years. An example of an active
volcano is Mount St. Helens in the United States (US).
DORMANT VOLCANOES - A dormant volcano is "sleeping," but it
could awaken in the future. Mount Rainier in the United States is
considered dormant
EXTINCT VOLCANOES - An extinct volcano has not erupted in the
past 10,000 years. Edinburgh Castle in Scotland is located atop an
extinct volcano.
How are volcanoes formed?
There are two main processes.
Volcanoes are made when two tectonic plates come together.
When these two plates meet, one of them (usually the oceanic
plate) goes under the continental plate. This is the process of
subduction. Afterwards, it melts and makes magma (inside the
magma chamber), and the pressure builds up until the magma
bursts through the Earth's crust.
The second way is when a tectonic plate moves over a hot spot
in the Earth's crust. The hot spot works its way through the
crust until it breaks through. The caldera of Yellowstone Park
was formed in that way; so were the Hawaiian Islands.
Location Of Volcanoes
Layout Of A Volcano
Types of Volcanic Eruption
PHREATIC OR HYDROTHERMAL
- is a stream-driven
eruption, as the hot rocks come in
contact with water. It is short lived
characterized by ash columns but
may be an onset for a larger
eruption. Example is Taal volcano
eruption in Batangas (as shown on
the right)
Types of Volcanic Eruption
PHREATOMAGMATIC
- is a violent eruption due to
the contact between water and
magma. As a result, a large
column of very fine ash, high
speed and side-way emission of
phyroclatics called based surges
are observed. Example is the
eruption of Mt. Fukutoku-
Okanoba in Bonin Islands, Japan
Types of Volcanic Eruption
STROMBOLIAN
- a periodic weak to
violent eruption
characterized by fountain
lava. Example is Mt. Irazu
Eruption in Costa Rica
Types of Volcanic Eruption
VULCANIAN
- characterized by tall
eruption colunms that
reach up to 20 km high
with pyroclastic flow and
ash fall tephra. Example is
Mt. Paricutin in Mexico.
Types of Volcanic Eruption
PLINIAN
- excessively
explosive type of eruption
of gas and pyroclastics.
Example is Mt. Pinatubo in
Zambales.
ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Name Province Last Erupted
1 Mt. Mayon Albay erupted at least 51x since 1616
2 Taal Volcano Batangas erupted 33x since 1572
3 Mt. Kanlaon Negros Oriental erupted at least 30x since 1886
4 Mt. Bulusan Sorsogon erupted at least 16x since 1852
5 Mt. Makaturing Lanao Del Sur erupted 10x since 1882
Mt. Calayo or Musuan
6 Bukidnon erupted 2x between 1866 and 1887
Peak Volcano
7 Hibok - Hibok Camiguim erupted 5x since 1827
8 Smith Volcano Cayagan erupted 6x
9 Mt. Banahaw Quezon erupted 3x since 1730
erupted last 1991 w/c was known to be the
10 Mt. Pinatubo Zambales
2nd largest eruption of the 20th century
Volcanic Hazard
Volcanic Hazard
Tsunami- sea waves or
wave trains that are
generated by sudden
displacement of water
(could be generated
during undersea
eruptions or debris
avalanches)
Volcanic Hazard
Volcanic Gas - Sometimes gas release is concentrated and
toxic to vegetation and people
Volcanic Hazard
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF VOLCANIC GASES
Carbon dioxide (CO2) trapped in low-lying areas
can be lethal to people and animals
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is irritating to eyes, skin and
respiratory system
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is very toxic in high
concentrations
Hydrogen halides (HF, HCl, HBr) are strong,
toxic acids.
Volcanic Hazard
Ash fall - have harmful effects to human health,
especially for those who already have respiratory or
cardiac diseases/problems. Ash fall can also cause
disruption to land and air transportation, water
and power supply, communications, drainage
canals and sewerage, and can cause damages to
buildings, agriculture, and wildlife.
Volcanic Hazard
Lahar Hazard
Lahars are flowing thick mixture of volcanic sediments
(from the pyroclastic materials) and water, usually triggered
by intense rainfall during typhoons, monsoons and
thunderstorms.
Lahars can destroy by direct impact (bridges,roads, houses)
Lahars can block tributary stream and form a lake. This can
submerged villages within the valley of the tributary that
was blocked, there is also the danger of the dammed lake
breaching or lake breakout and if this happens, this puts to
danger the lives of people in communities downstream
Lahars can bury valleys and communities with debris
Volcanic Hazard
Tephra Falls and Ballistic Projectiles
Tephra
- Includes all sizes of rock fragments and lava
blobs ejected into the atmosphere by the force of an
eruption which accumulate to form deposits as the
airborne materials fall back to earth
Ballistic Projectiles
- Larger fragments of rock hurled with great
force from the volcano
Volcanic Hazard
Pyroclastic Flow
A high-density mix of hot lava
blocks, ash and gas that propels
pyroclastic debris
Gravitational force pulls hot gas
and pyroclastic debris down
slope from the initial vertical
eruption.
VOLCANO
PREPAREDNESS
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
Volcanic alert level system used in the Philippines. The
system as shown is used for Mayon, but (with slight
variations in wording) is applied to other Philippines
volcanoes as well.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
Alert Level 0: No Alert.
Quiet. No eruption in the foreseeable future.
Alert Level 1: Abnormal.
Low level unrest. No eruption imminent.
Alert Level 2: Increasing Unrest.
Moderate unrest. Unrest probably of
magmatic origin, could eventually lead to
eruption.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
Alert Level 3: Increasing Tendency Towards
Eruption.
Relatively high unrest. Magma is close to the
crater.
Alert Level 4: Hazardous Eruption Imminent.
Intense unrest. Hazardous eruption is possible
within days.
Alert Level 5: Hazardous Eruption.
Hazardous eruption ongoing.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ)
is delineated and identified where
no permanent habitation is
recommended due to the possible
impact of various hazards at any
time.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
HAZARD MAPS
Illustrate potential for ground-based volcanic impacts—lava flows,
pyroclastic flows, ash fall, volcanic gases, and more far-reaching
hazards (such as lahars) in valleys that drain the volcano.
To help understand the areas that may be affected by specific
volcanic eruption phenomena, hazard maps are used. These maps
show areas that can be affected and areas that are safe.
Hazard maps are generated for various uses and are most useful in
determining risks of living in identified potentially hazardous areas.
Hazard maps can also help people to become aware of specific
dangers (lava flow , pyroclastic flows, ash fall, lahars, etc.) they
might face in the event that a volcano reactivates.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
VOLCANO
PREPAREDNESS
(BEFORE, DURING and AFTER)
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
What To Do Before a Volcanic Eruption
(PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION)
For longer-term development planning, consult available volcano hazard
maps that indicate areas declared as permanent danger zones (PDZs)
and areas likely to be affected by different volcanic hazards so that these
areas are avoided when choosing sites for developing new residential
areas, commercial/ business areas, siting for critical facilities etc.
Be aware of the kinds of volcanic hazards present in your area.
Determine the distance of your residence, workplace and livelihood
(farms, etc.) from the volcano. Know if you are within what kilometer
radius from the volcano summit your location is.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
What To Do Before a Volcanic Eruption
(PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION)
Be aware of the meanings of Alert Levels, and
recommended actions. Make sure your family emergency
plan has taken this into consideration.
Be aware of community efforts such as identified evacuation
areas as well as designated pick up points . Make sure that
the whole family knows about this. If you do not plan to stay
in evacuation area, and has other alternatives (another
house, relatives in another town), make sure that the whole
family is aware of this.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
What To Do During a Volcanic Eruption
(RESPONSE)
Stay inside the house or evacuation area. Do not go sightseeing.
Listen to the radio for advise and information.
If you are outside and very near the volcano, leave the area
immediately. If caught in ash fall or tephra* fall, seek shelter
immediately. Sometimes, pieces of rocks may be hot, seek care for
burns right away.
Do not drive. If you must drive, keep the car windows up and do not
operate the air conditioning system as this will bring in ash from
outside. Drive slowly as ash fall will reduce visibility. Ash on road
surface can cause the roads to become slippery.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
What To Do During a Volcanic Eruption
(RESPONSE)
Check that your pet or livestock have enough food.
Do not try to clean or shovel the ash fall during eruptions.
Protect yourself from ash fall.
• I. Close windows and doors to stop the ash from entering the house.
• II. Turn off all electric fans and airconditioning units.
• III. Wear dust-mask or cover your face with clean wet towel or cloth to
prevent ash from irritating the eyes and entering the respiratory track.
• IV. Better to use bottled water. If you must use tap water, always boil
water first before using.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
What To Do After a Volcanic Eruption
(REHABILITATION)
Listen to the latest update about Alert Levels, other
information from the radio.
Cook food thoroughly.
If the family has evacuated during the eruption, only
the adult members of the family should be allowed to
go home to inspect the house condition.
Only when local authorities- the LGUs have declared
that it is safe to go home that the family should return.
VOLCANO PREPAREDNESS
What To Do After a Volcanic Eruption
(REHABILITATION)
How to Clean Up an Ash Fall:
I. As soon as the ash fall has stopped, remove the ash immediately.
II. Wear dust mask before you start cleaning.
III. The recommended method to clean the ash is to lightly damp the ash so
that it does not billow when swept.
IV. Clean house roofs first, to prevent damage to gutters and down-pipes.
V. Do not dump ash in sewage systems.
VI. Inside the house, use damp cloth to remove ash. Avoid vigorous rubbing
as ash particles are very abrasive.
VII. To remove ash from your car, wash with plenty of water..
