VOLCANIC HAZARDS

VOLCANIC HAZARDS

INTRODUCTION
Volcanoes can be exciting and fascinating because
of their natural formation, but they can be also
very dangerous.
VARIOUS VOLCANO-RELATED HAZARDS

1. Lahars
Lahars are a specific kind of mudflow made up of
volcanic debris. They can form in a number of situations,
namely,1) when small slope collapses gather water on their
way down a volcano, 2) through rapid melting of snow and
ice during an eruption, 3) from heavy rainfall on loose
volcanic debris, 4), when a volcano erupts through a crater
lake, 5) when a crater lake drains because of overflow or
wall collapse.
Destructive Characteristics of Lahars
1. Lahars move rapidly down valleys like rivers of
concrete.
2. Lahars can occur with or without volcanic eruption.
3. Lahars pick up material as they travel, which can
cause damage to structures in their path.
4. Lahars and excess sediment cause serious economic
and environmental damage to river valleys and floods
plain.
2. Ash Fall
Volcanic ash consists of fragments of
pulverized rock, minerals and volcanic glass,
created during volcanic eruptions and measuring
less than 2 mm (0.079 inches) in diameter. The
term volcanic ash is also often loosely used to refer
to all explosive eruption products (correctly
referred to as tephra), including particles larger
than 2mm. Volcanic ash is formed during explosive
volcanic eruptions when dissolved gasses in magma
expand and escape violently into the atmosphere.
Devastating Effects of Ash Fall
Ash fall rarely endangers human lives, but it
can have devastating effects on the things that
people rely upon from day to day living. Its fine-
grained abrasive character and widespread
distribution by wind, ash fall and volcanic ash
clouds are major hazards to aviation. Ash fall out
to the ground can pose significant disruption and
damage to buildings, transportation, water and
wastewater, power supply, communications
equipment, agriculture, and etc. Fined grained
ash, when ingested can cause health impacts to
humans and animals.
3. Pyroclastic Flows
Pyroclastic flows contain a high-
density mix of hot lava blocks, pumice, ash and
volcanic gas. They move at very high speed down
volcanic slopes, typically following valleys. Most
Pyroclastic flows consist of two parts: a lower
(basal) flow of coarse fragments that moves along
the ground, and turbulent cloud of ash that rises
above basal flow. Ash may fall from this cloud
over wide area downwind from the pyroclastic
flow.
Pyroclastic flows form in different ways:
* Collapse of eruption column: during a highly explosive
eruption, the column ejected upwards into the atmosphere
cools and can become too cool and dense to maintain
upward momentum.
* “ boiling over” from erupted vent: during an explosive
eruption, material is erupted without forming a high plume
and rapidly moves down slope.
* Collapse of lava domes or flows: The fronts of lava
flows or domes can become so steep that they can collapse
due to gravitational force.
4. Volcanic Gases
Magma contains dissolved gases, which
provide the driving force that causes most volcanic
eruptions. As magma rises towards the surface and
pressure decreases, gases are released from the
liquid portion of the magma (melt) and continue to
travel upward are and eventually released into the
atmosphere. Large eruptions can release enormous
amounts of gas in a short time.
Harmful Effects of Volcanic Gases
1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) trapped in low-lying areas
can be lethal to people and animals.
2. Sulfurdioxide (SO2) is irritating to eyes, skin and
respiratory system.
3. Hydrogensulfide (H2S) is very toxic in high
concentrations.
4. Hydrogen halides (HF,HCI,HBr) are strong, toxic
acid.
5. Lava Flows
Lava flows are streams of molten rock
that pour or ooze from an erupting vent. Lava is
erupted during either non-explosive activity or
explosive lava fountains. The speed which lava
moves across the ground depends on several
factors, including (1) type of lava erupted and its
viscosity; (2) steepness of the ground over which it
travels; (3) whether the lava flows as a broad
sheet, through a confined channel, or down a lava
tube; and (4) rate of lava production at the vent.
Devastating Effects of Lava Flows
1. Lava flows may instigate other types of hazards.
2. Everything in the path of an advancing lava flow
will be knocked over, surrounded, buried or ignited by
the extremely hot temperature of lava.
3. When lava erupts beneath a glacier or flows over
snow and ice, melt water from the ice and snow can
result in far reaching lahars.
4.If it enters a body of water enters a lava tube, the
water may boil violently and cause an explosive
shower of molten spatter over a wide area.
5. Methane gas, produced as lava buries vegetation, can
migrate in subsurface voids and explode when heated.
6. Thick viscous lava flows, especially those that build a
dome, can collapse to form fast-moving pyroclastic flows.

5. Ballistic Projectiles
Ballistic projectiles are rocks that an erupting
volcano may hurl into the air. These blocks and bombs
travel like cannonballs and usually land within 2km of the
vent. These events may occur without warning and in the
absence of a larger magmatic eruption.
Devastating Effect of Ballistic Projectiles
Tephra falls and ballistic projectiles endanger life and property
by:
1. The force of impact falling fragments, but this occurs only
close to an eruption;
2. Loss of agricultural lands if burial is greater than 10 cm depth;
3. Producing suspension of fine-grained particles in air and water
which clog filters and vents of motors, human lungs, industrial
machine, and nuclear power plants;
4. Carrying of noxious gases, acids, salts and close to the vent,
heat; and;
5. Burial by tephra can collapse roofs of buildings, break and
power and communication lines and damage or kill vegetation.
Signs of an Impending Volcanic Eruption
The following are some of the observable signs
volcanologists have identified when a volcano is
about to erupt:
 Most volcano provide various types of warnings
before eruptions begin.
 People leaving near volcanoes may detect
premonitory events before an eruption.
 Measurement of changes in heat flow.
 Detection and Interpretation of Precursory Events.
Precautionary measures before, during and after volcanic eruption

The following are precautionary measures before, during and after

volcanic eruption that may help save lives:

Before volcanic eruption:

1. Be aware of the dangers that volcanic eruptions pose to lives and
be prepared to face whatever circumstances the eruption may
bring.
2. Prepare all necessary things to bring once evacuation is needed.
Those in danger zones are warned when to evacuate. Once given
the signal obey instructions. Refusing to evacuate will pose more
serious problems.
3. Store as much food, water, light sources and batteries that are
very useful in case of emergency.
4. Volcanic eruptions have ash falls so be prepared for masks or
anything to cover nose and mouth.
5. Prioritize the safety of children and the elderly before other
things. Take them to relatives who are far from the volcano, and let
them stay there until volcanic emergency subsides.

During volcanic eruption:

1. Avoid all low-lying places because lava flows and mudflows are
more likely to pass here.
2. Seek cover in case of pyroclastic falls and ballistic projectiles.
3. Use masks and cover mouth and nose to avoid breathing in ashes.
4. If inside a house, close all doors and windows to avoid ashes
from getting inside. Stay indoors.
5. If evacuated, stay in the evacuation center until further
instructions. Do not attempt to leave the place unless told to do.

After volcanic eruption:

1. Check house and place if already safe.
2. Clean everything around and check all damages incurred.
3. Use masks while cleaning ash and other debris.
4. Wait for further announcements related to the volcano
activities.
5. Make sure that the house is still safe for the whole family.
Summary
Volcanic eruption is one of the most dangerous
natural events because of the different hazards that it
may bring, namely: lahars, lava flows, ash falls,
pyroclastic flows, and emission of volcanic gases. These
hazards may inflict devastating effects to people,
physical structures and to the environment.

Volcanic eruptions happen with early warnings

unlike earthquakes that are sudden. There are early
warning signs before a volcano erupts so there is at least
time for residents around the volcano to prepare before
the actual eruption occurs. People should know that
before a volcano erupts there are warning signs such as
rumbling sound, continuous emissions of steam, increasing
temperature around the volcano that results to withering of
plants around and unusual behaviours of animals and
earthquakes. These early warning signs make people easier
to prepare compared to earthquake hazards.

Prepared by:
Jasmin Panaguiton
Nuena Mae Dondiego
Leonardo Palermo
Carl Louise Abellon