CGP Volcanic Hazards- Impacts & Responses

• Volcanic Events Have Primary and Secondary Impacts
• Ash and dust of volcanic material can damage the environment
• Ash can cause acidification of aquatic ecosystems
• Ash and volcanic debris can reduce the amount of sunlight, damaging crops
• Damage to buildings and infrastructure can be very costly
• Damage to agricultural land can cause food shortages, leading to conflict and political unrest
• Governments may have to spend money repairing damage rather than on hospitals and schools, so countries may not develop as rapidly
• Mitigation


  Something that is done to reduce the severity or impacts of a hazard
• Short-term responses


  Normally occur immediately before, during or immediately after the hazard, e.g. evacuating people and providing emergency food supplies
• Adaptation


  Long-term responses designed to reduce the impact of future eruptions by managing the risks
• Authorities can prevent the land around volcanoes from being developed
• Authorities can install monitoring systems to predict eruptions and make evacuation plans
• When an eruption is imminent, authorities can stop people from entering the area around the volcano
• Individuals can prepare by finding emergency shelters and making emergency kits
• Authorities can set up search and rescue teams or fire response units
• Buildings can be strengthened to reduce the chance of collapse from ash
• People can capitalise on the opportunities of living near a volcano, e.g. farming volcanic ash or working in tourism
• The Soufrière Hills Volcano


  Erupted in Montserrat in 1997
• Montserrat is above a destructive plate margin where the North American plate is being forced under the Caribbean plate
• The 1997 eruption released about 4-5 million m3 of material over 20 minutes, producing pyroclastic flows and ash clouds
• The eruption caused over £1 billion in economic losses, destroyed over 20 villages and two-thirds of homes, and led to a decline in the island's population
• The eruption killed 19 people and injured 7, destroyed infrastructure like schools and hospitals, and caused social disruption
• The eruption covered large areas in volcanic material, destroying vegetation and farmland, but also improved soil fertility
• Responses included evacuations, building shelters and temporary infrastructure, emergency aid from the UK, and the creation of a risk map and exclusion zone
• Long-term responses included £41 million of UK aid to develop the north of the island, and the establishment of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory to monitor future eruptions
• It is possible to manage the impacts of volcanic eruptions, but the impacts cannot be prevented
• Scientists at the volcano observatory monitor the volcano using thermal imaging, earthquake measurements, and ground deformation to issue alerts when an eruption is imminent