Volcanic Eruption Handout

Volcano - an opening on the earth’s crust through which magma, volcanic ash, and gases
escape.
Volcanic Eruption - when lava and gas are released from a volcano - sometimes
explosively.
Magma - molten rock that is underground or is still inside the surface of the volcano
Lava - molten rock that breaks through the earth’s surface.

Types of Volcanoes:
❖ Shield Volcano
➢ Produces low viscosity, runny lava
➢ It spreads far from the source and forms a volcano with gentle slopes
❖ Composite Volcano
➢ Also called a stratovolcano
➢ Typically deep-sided, symmetrical cones of large dimensions built of
alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, cinders, blocks, and bombs and
may rise as much as 8,000 ft above their bases
❖ Lava Dome
➢ A steep-sided mound formed when lava reaching the earth’s surface is so
viscous that it cannot readily flow away and accumulates around the vent.
❖ Cinder Cone Volcano
➢ Simple volcano has a bowl-shaped crater at the summit and steep sides.
➢ They are usually created by eruptions from a single opening

Classifications of Volcanoes
❖ Active Volcano
➢ Has a recent history of eruptions
➢ They are likely to erupt again
❖ Dormant Volcano
➢ Has not erupted for a very long time but may erupt at a future time
➢ Can go for hundreds, or even thousands of years before erupting again
➢ Also called “sleeping” volcanoes
❖ Extinct Volcano or Inactive Volcano
➢ Volcanoes that are not expected to erupt in the future
What Happens Before, During, and After a Volcanic Eruption?
What Happens Before a Volcanic Eruption
Signs to look out for:
Every volcano is different so, the processes that dictate whether it will erupt,
how big the eruption will be, what hazards will be present, and what areas will be affected, are
going to be different. However, there are obvious signs that may help you determine whether
a volcano is about to erupt.
● An increase in the frequency and intensity of felt earthquakes
● Noticeable steaming or fumarolic activity
● New or enlarged areas of hot ground
● Subtle swelling of the ground surface

The most obvious and best way to tell whether a volcanic eruption will occur is to be
aware of its history: whether it had already erupted in the past or not. News channels will be
broadcasting volcanic statuses so it is important to always keep in touch with the news
especially when you live near an active volcano.

What to Do Before a Volcanic Eruption

● Listen for emergency information and alerts
● Follow evacuation or shelter orders. If advised to evacuate, evacuate early.
● Pack up essential materials such as clothes, first aid kits, food and water, a power
source, a source of information, a source of light, and extra batteries.
● Keep windows and doors closed
● Refrain from going outside
● Use damp curtains and blankets to prevent infiltration of ash into the house

What Happens During a Volcanic Eruption

Volcanoes are capable of generating incredibly dangerous effects in the form of lava
flows, lahars, and fallouts. Along with these are other seismic activities such as earthquakes,
tsunamis, and landslides.

Direct Hazards
● Phreatic Explosions
○ Explosive disruptions, mostly generating ballistics and ash clouds
● Ballistics
○ Particles ejected directly from the vent during explosive phases
● Volcanic Gases
 ○ Magmatic gases like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, argon, and helium, that mix
with the air we breathe. When inhaled, it can cause, headaches, dizziness,
unconsciousness, and even death.
● Fallout
○ Magma and rock are transported into the atmosphere by eruption clouds,
deposited as individual particles
● Pyroclastic Density Currents (PCDs)
○ Magma and rock fragments deposited in mass descending the sides of the
volcano
● Lahars
○ A slurry of pyroclasts, rock debris, and water that originates on the slopes of
volcanoes during eruptive activity
● Lava flows
○ Non-fragmented magma flowing down the slopes of the volcano
● Debris Avalanches
○ Rockfalls and rockslides that move rapidly and can originate immediately
before, during, or after an eruption

Indirect Hazards
● Earthquakes
● Tsunamis
● Atmospheric effects
○ Rainfall, shockwaves, and lightning caused by ash particles and gases that
entered the atmosphere
● Famine and Disease

What to Do During a Volcanic Eruption

● Seek shelter indoors
● Cover your nose and mouth by wearing a mask
● Wear protective eyewear
● Avoid low-lying places

What Happens After a Volcanic Eruption

● Floods and Landslides
● Power outage
● Water contamination
● Respiratory and other infectious diseases
What to Do After a Volcanic Eruption
● Listen to your local radio stations for civil defense advice and follow instructions.

● Stay indoors and away from volcanic ashfall areas as much as possible.

● When it is safe to go outside, keep your gutters and roof clear of ash as heavy ash
deposits can collapse your roof.

● If there is a lot of ash in the water supply, do not use your dishwasher or washing
machine.

● Avoid driving in heavy ashfall as it stirs up ash that can clog engines and cause
serious abrasion damage to your vehicle.

● Keep animals indoors where possible, wash away ash on their paws or skin to keep
them from ingesting the ash and provide clean drinking water.

● Use a mask or a damp cloth and eye protection when cleaning up. Moisten the ash
with a sprinkler before cleaning.

● Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.

● If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes.
If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance
company as soon as possible.