Volcanic Hazards 2.
Ash Fall
Volcano – is rapture in the crust of a planetary-mass
object, such as Earth, that allows hot lava, volcanic ash,
and gases to escape from a magma chamber below the
surface. Volcano can be exciting and fascinating
because of their natural formation, but they can also be
very dangerous. Volcanoes are natural systems, and
they always have some elements of unpredictability.
VOLCANIC ERUPTION
-It happens when lava and gas are discharged from a
volcanic vent. The most common consequences of this
are population movements as large number of people
are often forced to flee the moving lava flow.
Various Volcano Related Hazard
-Volcanologists are always working to understand how
volcanic hazard behave and what can be done to avoid
them.
1. Lahars
-are specific kinds of mudflow made up of volcanic
debris. They can form in a number of situations namely;
 When small slope collapses gather water on
their way down a volcano.
 Through rapid melting of snow and ice during
an eruption.
 From heavy rainfall on loose of volcanic
eruption.
 When a volcanic erupts through a crater lake.
 When a crater lake drains. Because of overflow
or wall collapsed.
Destructive Characteristics of Lahars
1. Lahars are rapidly down valley like rivers of concrete.
2. Lahars can occur with or without a volcanic eruption.
3. Lahars pick up material as they travel which can
cause damage to structure in their path.
4. Lahars and excess sediment cause serious economic
and environmental damage to river valleys and flood
plains.
- Volcanic Ash consists of fragments of
pulverized rocks, and minerals and volcanic
eruptions and measuring less than 2mm (0.079
inches) in diameter.
3. Pyroclastic Flows
-Contain a high-density mix of hot lava blocks,
pumice ash and volcanic gas.
PYROCLASTIC FLOWS FORM IN DIFFERENTS WAYS:
 Collapse of eruption column - becomes too
dense to be lifted high into the sky by air
convection, and instead falls down the slopes of
the volcano to form pyroclastic flows or surges.
 “Boiling over” from eruptive vent -The sudden
collapse of a growing, viscous, gas-filled lava
dome, as well as the spilling or "boiling over" of
material from an eruptive vent can also trigger
pyroclastic flows, particularly when the ground
is steep enough, allowing gravitational forces to
essentially drag them out.
 Collapse of lava domes or flow - Domes
undergoes various processes such as growth
collapse, solidification and erosion. Due to the
intermittent buildup of gas pressure, erupting
domes can often experience episodes of
explosive eruption over time. If part of a lava
dome collapses and exposes pressurized
magma, pyroclastic flows can be produced.
4 .Volcanic Gases
-Magma contains dissolved gases, which
provide the driving force that causes most volcanic
eruptions. By far the most abundant volcanic gas is
water vapor, which is harmless. However, significant
amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and
hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen halides can also be
emitted from volcanoes.
Harmful Effect of Volcanic Gases
 Expect for abundant free oxygen released from
plant, algae and cyanobacteria by
photosynthesis, atmospheric gases initially
come from the Earth's interior.
 Carbon Dioxide
 Sulfur Dioxide
 Hydrogen Sulfide
 Hydrogen Halide
4. Carrying of noxious gases, acids, salts and close
to the vent heat
5. Burial by tephra can collapse roots of buildings,
break power and communication lines
Signs of an impending volcanic eruption:
• The following are some of the observable signs
volcanologists have identified when a volcano is about
erupt

5. Lava Flow Most volcanic provide types of warning before

erupting begin:
-Lava flow is the least hazardous of all processes
in volcanic eruption. Lava flow travel depends • Most volcanoes provide warnings before an
on the flow temperature, silica content, eruption. Magmatic eruptions involve the rise of
extrusion rate, and slope of the land. magma toward the surface, which normally generates
detectable earthquakes
Devastating Effects of Lava Flows
People living near volcanoes may detect premonitory
• Everything in the path of an advancing lava flow
event before an eruption:
will be knocked over, surrounded, buried, or ignited by
the extremely hot temperature of lava • Both the frequency of occurrence and intensity
of felt earthquakes commonly increase before eruption
• Deaths caused directly by lava flows are
begin
uncommon because most move slowly enough that
people can move out the way easily. Death and injury
can result when onlookers approach an advancing lava
flow too closely or their retreat is cut off by other flows Measurement of Change in Heat Flow

Measurement of change in heat flow at a volcano by

6. Ballistic projectiles
-Ballistic projectiles volcanic material which are
directly ejected from the volcano vent which force and
trajectory these objects endanger life and property.
repeated infrared survey or by direct measurements of
hot spring or fumarole temperatures. This type of
monitoring may be useful in detecting warning signs of
an impending eruption.
Detection and Interpretation of Precursory Events

Devastating effects of ballistic projectiles: Network is routinely used for producing improved orbits
and monitoring tectonic deformation. These
Tephra falls and ballistic projectiles endanger life and
applications, data transferred to an analysis center each
property by:
day.
1.The force of impact of falling fragment, but this occurs
only close to an eruption

2. Loss of agricultural lands if burial is greater than

10cm depth

3. Producing suspension fine grained particles in air and

water
Interpreting Different Volcano Hazard Maps

PHIVOLCS has been closely monitoring the active 4. Simplified Hazard Map showing potential impact for
volcanoes alert communities in the immediately vicinity ground based. (Lessen Volcanic Center, California)
of danger

1. World Major Volcanoes.

5. Map showing Volcanic Hazard Zones

2. Major Volcanoes of the Philippines.

6. Simplified Hazard Map showing potential impact for

ground-based hazards. (Crater Lake, Oregon)
3. Map showing pyroclastic flows from Mount Pinatubo.
Precautionary measures before, during and after

There is damage that volcanic eruptions pose to people so it is important that they know how to handle situations before, during
and after eruptions to avoid serious problems.

Before Volcanic Eruption

1). Be aware of the dangers that volcanic eruptions pose to lives and be prepared to face what circumstances that eruption may
bring.

2). Prepared all necessary things to bring evacuation is needed. Those in danger zones are warmed when to evacuate. Once given
the serious obey instructions. Refusing to evacuate will pose more serious problem.

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 mask for 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 volcano 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 mask 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 evacuated 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 damage incurred.

3). Use mask while cleaning ash and other debris.

4). Wait for further announcement related to the volcanic activities.

5). Make sure that house is still safe for the whole family.

SUMMARY Volcanic eruptions happen with early warnings unlike

earthquakes that are sudden.
Volcanic eruption is one of the most dangerous natural
events because of the different hazards that it may bring. THESE ARE THE WARNING SIGNS:

 LAHARS  Rumbling sounds

 LAVA FLOWS  Continuous emissions of steam
 VOLCANIC ASH  Increasing temperature around the volcano that
 PYROCLASTIC FLOWS results of withering of plants around
 VOLCANIC GASES  Unusual behavior of animals
 Earthquake