Mitigation Measures on

Reducing the Risk of

Volcanic Eruption
01
WEAR SAFETY
EQUIPMENT
Stay away from areas downwind
of the volcano. Wear long-
sleeved shirts and pants. Wear
goggles to protect eyes. Wear a
mask or use a damp cloth over
your face to minimize breathing
in ash.
02
EVACUATE
If you are told to evacuate
Follow authorities' instructions if they
tell you to leave the area. Though it
may seem safe to stay at home and
wait out an eruption, doing so could
be very dangerous. Volcanoes spew
hot, dangerous gases, ash, lava, and
rock that are powerfully destructive.

03
BUILDING
REINFORCEMENT
The most common volcanic hazard
(for buildings) is ash fall. The design
principles are similar to those for
heavy snowfall (pitched roof with no
solar, chimney or roof tank).
However, volcanic ash is much
heavier than snow, so extra
reinforcement is required.
04
LAND ZONING
Volcanic eruptions are also
destructive as they can blow apart
those very same mountains. They
also can cover vast areas of fertile
land with inhospitable lava flows
and/or ash deposits. Further,
volcanoes present geohazards to the
public, both during eruptions and
during periods of quiescence.

05
LESSEN THE EFFECT OF
FLOODING
If you live in an area at risk from volcanic ash falls, take the following steps to reduce
volcanic impacts: Make buildings as airtight as possible, to exclude ash. Ensure rain
gutters are well-maintained, kept clear of debris, and securely attached. Gutters are
prone to collapse from ash loading.