Volcanic Alert Level
In New Zealand, Volcano Alert Bulletins (VABs) are the official source of warnings and alerts including current Volcanic Alert Level (VAL),[1] intended to inform stakeholder agencies, authorities, and the public about emergencies so they can take action.
The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, through The National Emergency Management Agency is responsible for providing such alerts to warn about natural hazards.[2] A Scientific Alert Level is applied to the Volcano Status based on Indicative Phenomena. GNS Science operates the national geological hazards monitoring network (GeoNet).[3]
Levels
[edit | edit source]The Volcanic Alert Level system has six levels ranging from 5 (major volcanic eruption) to 0 (no volcanic activity):[4]
| Volcanic Alert Level | Volcanic Activity | Most likely hazards | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Major volcanic eruption | Eruption hazards on and beyond volcano | – |
| 4 | Moderate volcanic eruption | Eruption hazards on and near volcano | 2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption |
| 3 | Minor volcanic eruption | Eruption hazards near vent | – |
| 2 | Moderate to heightened volcanic unrest | Volcanic unrest hazards, potential for eruption hazards | Whakaari / White Island in 2019 before eruption[5][6] |
| 1 | Minor volcanic unrest | Volcanic unrest hazards | – |
| 0 | No volcanic unrest | Volcanic environment hazards | – |
Elsewhere
[edit | edit source]To help prevent harm when living or working on or near a volcano, countries have adopted classifications to describe the various levels and stages of volcanic activity, the two main volcano warning systems being colour codes and/or numeric alert levels. [7]
- United States Alert System
- Indonesia Alert System [8]
- Russia
- Alaska Alert System
- Vanuatu Volcanic Alert Level
- Colombia Alert System [7]
The three common popular classifications of volcanoes can be subjective, and some volcanoes thought to have been extinct have erupted again.
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ GeoNet: Volcanic Alert Bulletins
- ^ www.civildefence.govt.nz Civil Defence Emergency Management Alerts and Warnings
- ^ GeoNet: Whakaari/White Island – Updates
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Volcanic Alert Bulletin WI – 2019/18
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ The Sydney Morning Herald Mount Agung volcano alert in Bali downgraded
External links
[edit | edit source]Volcanic Alert Level Summary
Whakaari/White Island Alert Level