Detecting, Modelling and Responding to Effusive Eruptions
CONTAINS OPEN ACCESS
For effusive volcanoes in resource-poor regions, there is a pressing need for a crisis response-chain bridging the global scientific community to allow provision of standard products for timely humanitarian response. As a first step in attaining this need, this Special Publication provides a complete directory of current operational capabilities for monitoring effusive eruptions. This volume also reviews the state-of-the-art in terms of satellite-based volcano hot-spot tracking and lava-flow simulation. These capabilities are demonstrated using case studies taken from well-known effusive events that have occurred worldwide over the last two decades at volcanoes such as Piton de la Fournaise, Etna, Stromboli and Kilauea. We also provide case-type response models implemented at the same volcanoes, as well as the results of a community-wide drill used to test a fully-integrated response focused on an operational hazard-GIS. Finally, the objectives and recommendations of the ‘Risk Evaluation, Detection and Simulation during Effusive Eruption Disasters’ working group are laid out in a statement of community needs by its members.
Hazard mitigation and crisis management during major flank eruptions at Etna volcano: reporting on real experience
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Published:January 01, 2016
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CiteCitation
Alessandro Bonaccorso, Sonia Calvari, Enzo Boschi, 2016. "Hazard mitigation and crisis management during major flank eruptions at Etna volcano: reporting on real experience", Detecting, Modelling and Responding to Effusive Eruptions, A. J. L. Harris, T. De Groeve, F. Garel, S. A. Carn
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Abstract
Etna volcano is characterized by frequent effusive eruptions from the summit craters or from flank fissures, and these have often threatened villages, infrastructures and tourist facilities. Considerable experience of lava-flow mitigation has been gained by scientists working on this volcano, and in this paper we principally discuss the problems arising from lava flows emplaced during the 2002–03 flank eruption, when eruptive fissures opened both on the northern and southern flanks of the volcano, feeding lava flows towards several villages, tourist facilities and forests. We highlight the importance of the monitoring system to follow the spreading of eruptive fissures and predict when they stopped propagating. We illustrate the value of thermal mapping in identifying active lava flows, in measuring effusion rates to estimate the maximum distance that flows can travel, and in obtaining reliable lava-flow simulations in real time in order to predict possible paths of the lava flow and to adopt the most appropriate solutions to limit its damage. Collaborations between scientists from different institutions and fields once again proved essential to understand and model the eruptive processes, to mitigate hazards and to obtain the best results.
- airborne methods
- cameras
- case studies
- cellular automata
- damage
- eruptions
- Europe
- geologic hazards
- geophysical methods
- geophysical surveys
- helicopter methods
- infrared methods
- infrastructure
- Italy
- lava flows
- mapping
- mathematical methods
- mitigation
- monitoring
- Mount Etna
- natural hazards
- photogeology
- planning
- prediction
- preventive measures
- probability
- rates
- remote sensing
- risk management
- safety
- satellite methods
- Sicily Italy
- simulation
- Southern Europe
- statistical analysis
- surveys
- volcanic risk
- volcanism