Mount Etna 2002

Mount Etna 2002

1. Monitoring

   • data continuously recorded by perminant monitoring stations
   • geochemical monitoring prorams test gas (SO2) emissions at summit craters + flanks on site
   • INGV has monitored the volcano for 20 years
     • network of monitoring systems connected in real time to the monitoring centre,

2. Background

   • fertile volcanic soils support agriculture e.g. vineyards and orchards
   • fissures open up releasing lava from a variety of locations
   • composite stratovolcano - erupts basaltic lava of low viscosity which is able to travel great distances
   • subduction of the African plate beneath the Eurasian plate
   • 25% of sicily's population lives on its slopes
   • well monitored due to the history of eruptions and population density
   • is a decade volcano

3. potential hazards

   • seismic activity
     • connected with the volcanic activity can cause damage to infrastructure
   • gas plume emissions, volcanic dust and ash
     • causes problem for settlements and road and air traffic
   • lahars - mudflows and possible avalanches
   • explosions of stem water ash blocks and lava bombs

4. responces/managment

   • army sent out with buldozers to crack tarmac to build barriers for the creation of channels to divert the lava flow
   • have a long history of eruptions so they have experience
   • ship with medical supplies was ready near Catania
   • tax brakes for people affected by the eruption -£5.6 million

5. impacts

   • airport in Catania was closed for 4 days to clear runways
   • Tourism was effected
   • 77 confirmed deaths
   • 1000 people were evacuated
   • skiing areas were destroyed by lava flows
   • buildings which attract tourists were damaged
   • 300 family buisnesses were damaged
   • hundreads of ha of forest on the slopes of mt etna was destroyed
     • agriculture