WHAT ARE
VOLCANIC HAZARDS?
LAHAR
- a destructive mudflow on the slopes of
a volcano.
- lahar move rapidly down valleys like
rivers of concrete.
- lahar can occur with or without a
volcanic eruption.
ASHFALL
- A rain airborne ash resulting from a volcanic
eruption.
- Volcanic ash consists of tiny jagged particles of
rock and natural glass blasted into the air by a
volcano.
- Wind can carry ash thousands of miles, affecting
far greater areas and many more than other
volcano hazards.
PYROCLASTIC FLOW
- a dense, destructive mass of very hot ash, lava
fragments, and gases ejected explosively from a
volcano and typically flowing downslope at great
speed.
- Pyroclastic flows contain a high-density mix of
hot lava blocks, pumice, ash and volcanic gas.
BALLISTIC PROJECT
- are volcanic materials which are directly
ejected from the volcano’s vent with force and
trajectory. These objects endanger life and property
due to the force of impact of failing fragments, but this occurs
only close to an eruption vent.
- are rocks that an erupting volcano may hurl in the air. These
blocks and bombs travel like cannon balls and usually land within
2km of the vent (but can travel as far as 5km, or even further,
if the eruption is very explosive.
VOLCANIC GASES
- are gases given off by active (or, at times, by
dormant) volcanoes. These include gases trapped in cavities
(vesicles) in volcanic rocks, dissolved or
dissociated gases in magma and lava, or gases emanating
directly from lava or indirectly through ground water
heated by volcanic action.
LAVA FLOW
- a mass of flowing or solidified lava.
- are the least hazardous of all processes in volcanic
eruptions.
- However, lava flows are very hot (between 550 degrees C
and 1400 degrees C) and can therefore cause injuries. People
have burnt their skin, charred their eyebrows, and melted
the soles of their boots from being near or on a hot lava
flow. Lava flows don't cool instantaneously. It can take days
to years for a lava flow to completely cool.
Volcanic Eruption
Volcanic eruptions bring us calamities. It will
destroy everything in its path and it is very
destructive.
It brings us many bad things and one of those
things is death. We must know what to do during,
before and after a volcanic eruptions. Knowing
those things can help us be alive and even save
lives. We must value our safety and help others
that are in dire need when this time comes.
What To Do Before A Volcanic Eruption
Build a Disaster Survival Kit, which includes items
like non-perishable food, water, a battery-
powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights
and batteries. You may want to prepare a
portable kit and keep it in your car in case you are
told to evacuate. This kit should also include a pair
of goggles and disposable breathing masks for
each member of the family.
What to do during a volcanic eruption
• Listen to the radio for civil defence advice and follow
instructions.
• Stay indoors as volcanic ash is a health hazard,
especially if you have respiratory difficulties such as
asthma or bronchitis.
• Do not tie up phone lines with non-emergency calls.
• If outside at the time of eruption, seek shelter in a car
or a building. If caught in volcanic ashfalls, wear a dust
mask or use a handkerchief or cloth over your nose
and mouth.
What To Do After A Volcanic Eruption
• Listen to your local radio stations for civil defence
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.
