USGS Creates Framework For National Volcano Early Warning System

[jokerman93]

USGS Creates Framework For National Volcano Early Warning System

Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Date: 2005-06-20

USGS Creates Framework For National Volcano Early Warning System
Reston, VA -- The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released the first ever comprehensive and systematic review of the 169 U.S. volcanoes and established a framework for a National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS) which calls for a 24-hour seven-day-a-week Volcano Watch Office and enhanced instrumentation and monitoring at targeted volcanoes.

The NVEWS report, which can be accessed online at http:/​/​pubs.usgs.gov/​of/​2005/​1164/​, ranks the most dangerous U.S. volcanoes that pose a threat to human lives, property, and aviation safety and also discusses monitoring gaps at each volcano. Alaska, California, Washington State, Oregon, Hawaii, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CMNI) have dangerous volcanoes with monitoring gaps or no monitoring in place.

"We cannot afford to wait until a hazardous volcano begins to erupt before deploying a modern monitoring effort. The consequences put property and people at risk -- including volcano scientists on site and pilots and passengers in the air," said USGS Director Chip Groat. "It forces citizens, scientists, civil and aviation authorities, and businesses into 'playing catch up' with a dangerous volcano, a risky game indeed. To help keep communities safe, it is essential to monitor hazardous volcanoes so that we know when unrest begins. This is the only way to forewarn communities at risk in enough time to activate emergency response plans, and ultimately help save lives and property."

*************************************

Sounds like the increased tectonic activity this year may have prompted some of this.

[unhappycamper]

1. A really good companion site for earthquakes is the IRIS monitor.

http://www.iris.edu/seismon/

[phantom power]

2. They should also deploy emailing lists, that people can sign up for.

There should be email-lists for all kinds of natural disasters. And text messaging for cel-phones.

I know that I'm often aware of stuff in my email long before I'd hear it on the radio, TV, etc. I assume that's true for lots of people these days.