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Preparing for Volcanic Emergencies

Communication is key to saving lives

Recent advances in volcano monitoring, new and refined volcano-hazard assessments, and better warning schemes have significantly improved our capability to warn of volcano hazards and impending eruptions. Our volcano information and warnings, however, no matter how timely or precise, will reduce volcanic risk only if they are communicated effectively to a wide audience, especially to people who live and work in potentially hazardous areas and to emergency-management specialists.

Increasing public awareness of volcano hazards

In addition to carrying out specialized studies on volcanoes and hazards posed by them, we participate in a wide variety of projects and activities intended to increase awareness of volcano hazards and minimize future consequences of volcano activity in the United States. The Volcano Hazards Program:

• participates in volcano-emergency planning workshops and emergency-response exercises
• convenes international, regional, and local workshops focused on volcano-hazard issues
• prepares educational materials with partners, including exhibits, fact sheets, booklets, video programs, and maps
• collaborates with emergency-management specialists to develop effective warning schemes
• meets with community leaders and residents wanting information about potentially dangerous volcanoes in their area
• works with the news media and media producers
• leads educational field trips to active and potentially dangerous volcanoes for the public, officials, local residents, educators, and students
• helps educators and students with classroom presentations, teacher workshops, field trips, and activities

Resources: preparing for volcano emergencies

Developing a Volcanic Emergency Plan

Prepared by the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, 1985.

Volcano Educational Video Programs

See list of several programs on volcano hazards, how to reduce volcanic risk, and specific volcanoes, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey and the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior.