Volcano Case Studies- Etna and Montserrat

Seite 1

Where: Mount Etna, (MEDC) on the island of Sicily between the African plate moving north, sliding under the European plate.

When: Oct 2002

Primary Effects:

ash was deposited over a wide area, the flume was seen in space

olive groves and orange orchards were destroyed by lava flows at the base

evacuation of nearby villages and tourist hotels, ski lifts damaged by lava flows

pre-eruption tremors caused damage to roofs and walls of nearby villages, and land subsided by 2 m

Secondary Effects:

increase in volcano watching tourism as people come to witness the event

ski-bookings collapsed as lava flows destroyed ski lift stations in the northern slopes. Out of action for coming winter

Short term responses:

dropping concrete blocks helped reduce the flow of lava emerging from the volcano

spraying water onto the lava to cool and solidify it higher up the slope so it doesn't flow down to the settlement below

explosives for diversion channels, army explosives expert set off controlled explosions in a line to create deep channels which diverted lava from settlements and onto farmland

building earth diversion walls, bulldozers piled up ash and earth to form walls which diverted lava onto farmland away from settlements

Long term responses:

hazard mapping; mapping contours of Mt Etna and working out where future lava flows will go. Banning buildings in these areas

monitoring seismic activity- more frequent surface risk indicate magma rising up a vent. By monitoring the pattern of earthquakes some scientists can predict eruptions in coming days and weeks

thermal images- infared cameras measure surface heat. they show can area of volcano getting hotter0 indicating magma. Areas at risk can be evacuated in advance

Seite 2

Where: Chances Peak, located on island of Montserrat (LEDC). North American plate is being subducted under the Caribbean plate

When: June 1997

Primary Effects:

2/3 of the island was covered in ash, 50% of the population were evacuated to the North of the island to live in makeshift shelters

23 people died

capital became a ghost town

floods as valleys were blocked with ash

airport and port closed

farmland destroyed and forest fires caused by pyroclastic flows

Secondary Effects:

with most of the south destroyed, any remaining inhabitants had to endure harsh living conditions in the North

transport remains a problem for people travelling to the island- airport shut

tourist industry still suffering with few visitors except cruise ships looking at the volcano

over half the population left and did not return

Responses:

£75 million was given in aid from British Government, although riots occurred as locals complained the British weren't doing enough

£2400 was given to individuals to help them move

New port and hospital

Tourism increasing as people visit the volcano