Volcanic Hazard Preparedness
To what extent can preparedness and planning mitigate the effects of volcanic hazards?
Volcanic activity happens across the surface of the globe and naturally hazards occur too. It can be said that it’s easier to predict an event than prevent it, however prediction does have a positive impact on the effects of a volcanic hazard. Firstly, the extent to which preparation and planning can decrease effects can only be done by prediction. There are numerous ways in which volcanoes can be monitored but it does mean expense. The technology needed and the expertise in which to predict a volcanic hazard can only be generated by a good economy. Therefore some of the poorer countries cannot afford planning and such things. The impact that is experienced …show more content…
Volcanoes on a destructive plate margin often lie dormant for years but have explosive and violent eruptions with acidic lava, pyroclastic flows and copious amounts of ash. Because of the length of time that they lie dormant prediction isn’t as easy. Montserrat in the Caribbean experienced a violent eruption in the mid 1990’s. The early activity showed signs of a major eruption so many people were able to be evacuated , giving evidence that preparedness and help decreased the effects of the eruption. Exclusion zones were set up leading 7’000 of the 11’000 inhabitants to be resettled in other countries. This prevented a huge loss of life. The capital, Plymouth, was buried in the ash fall, so with the evacuation all of the inhabitants were moved, meaning the largest population density on the island was prevented from being lost. Not only does planning attend to before an event, it provides plans for during and after as well. Therefore the island of Montserrat has provided farming areas for those who resettled in the north, the movement of the capital city of Plymouth to Salem and financial help for those who were resettled. Without the preparation time this planning would not have gone ahead, resulting in a much worse state. The extent of the planning has helped shrink the effects for the people after the
Volcanic activity happens across the surface of the globe and naturally hazards occur too. It can be said that it’s easier to predict an event than prevent it, however prediction does have a positive impact on the effects of a volcanic hazard. Firstly, the extent to which preparation and planning can decrease effects can only be done by prediction. There are numerous ways in which volcanoes can be monitored but it does mean expense. The technology needed and the expertise in which to predict a volcanic hazard can only be generated by a good economy. Therefore some of the poorer countries cannot afford planning and such things. The impact that is experienced …show more content…
Volcanoes on a destructive plate margin often lie dormant for years but have explosive and violent eruptions with acidic lava, pyroclastic flows and copious amounts of ash. Because of the length of time that they lie dormant prediction isn’t as easy. Montserrat in the Caribbean experienced a violent eruption in the mid 1990’s. The early activity showed signs of a major eruption so many people were able to be evacuated , giving evidence that preparedness and help decreased the effects of the eruption. Exclusion zones were set up leading 7’000 of the 11’000 inhabitants to be resettled in other countries. This prevented a huge loss of life. The capital, Plymouth, was buried in the ash fall, so with the evacuation all of the inhabitants were moved, meaning the largest population density on the island was prevented from being lost. Not only does planning attend to before an event, it provides plans for during and after as well. Therefore the island of Montserrat has provided farming areas for those who resettled in the north, the movement of the capital city of Plymouth to Salem and financial help for those who were resettled. Without the preparation time this planning would not have gone ahead, resulting in a much worse state. The extent of the planning has helped shrink the effects for the people after the