IAVCEI'S PRINCIPAL IDNDR PROJECT, DECADE VOLCANOES

As the end of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) draws near, we take stock of progress. Sixteen Decade Volcanoes have been a focus of concerted research and outreach work during the IDNDR. Projects at each volcano involve intensive, international, interdisciplinary work to improve and demonstrate tools for volcanic disaster prevention -- intensive, to address urgent problems before another volcanic disaster can occur; international, to introduce new tools and thought paradigms, complementing those of the local scientific team; and interdisciplinary, to achieve the exciting synergism that results when colleagues with varied expertise work together on a common problem. Here is a small selection of the accomplishments of Decade Volcano projects, to illustrate a range of scientific studies and mitigation efforts.

Avachinsky-Koryaksky: Stratigraphic reconstruction revealed at least 112 eruptions of the past 8000 y, in two stages of activity. The volumes and column heights (~mass discharge rates) were estimated for the larger events.

Colima: Eruption crises of 1991 and of 1998-1999 (continuing) were successfully managed. Larger-than-normal explosions in May 1999 required evacuation of several villages near the foot of the volcano. Exchange visits are planned in 2000 A.D. for teams from "twin" volcanoes Colima and Merapi.

Etna: The lava flow of 1991-1993 challenged authorities to find new methods for lava control. Blocks were dropped into a lava tube; explosives were used to breach the tube and divert lava;and a dam was built to pond lava. The last, at least, helped to save the town of Zafferana.

Galeras: Important lessons were learned about buildup of gas pressures in the near-surface. A special issue of Jour. Volcanology and Geothermal Research, "Galeras Volcano, Colombia: interdisciplinary study of a Decade Volcano" was dedicated to the memory of six volcanologists who were killed in January 1993.

Mauna Loa: Detailed geologic mapping and radiocarbon and paleomagnetic dating of >180 lava flows allowed estimates of recurrence intervals; chemical analyses yielded details of magma plumbing and resupply. Data are being compiled in GIS format. Also, submersible studies of Mauna Loa's SW rift zone reveal abundant picritic flows and changes in magma source components.

Merapi: Major collaborative program between Volcanological Survey of Indonesia and German GFZ, particularly strong in geophysical monitoring. Some collaborative work continues also with France, U.S., New Zealand, Japan, and other countries. Merapi may have more international collaboration than any other Decade Volcano.

Mount Rainier: An educational video, "Perilous Beauty - The Hidden Dangers of Mount Rainier," was produced by USGS. Also, as part of a compromise between public safety officials and real-estate developers, an acoustic early warning system was developed for collapse events and lahars.

Nyiragongo: Seismic, tilt, EDM, and thermal monitoring were increased in 1994, when the lava lake began to rise and threaten refugees from nearby Rwanda. Beginning in October 1996, escalating civil strife destroyed all stations and halted monitoring.

Sakurajima: Beginning in 1994, Sakurajima eruptions declined and unerupted new magma was stored beneath nearby Aira caldera. An Asian Active Volcano Summit was held in November 1998, in Kagoshima City, for sharing of experiences during volcanic crises among local officials and scientists from Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, and Italy.

Santa Maria: A well-attended workshop in November 1993 generated much enthusiasm and many plans. Regrettably, support from higher levels of the government was not forthcoming, and disappointingly few of the plans have been implemented. One village, El Parmar, was evacuated in 1998 before it was destroyed by lahars associated with the Santiaguito dome.

Santorini: A modern network of telemetered seismometers, tide gauges (to detect uplift), thermometers, and CO2-flux instruments was established, as was a non-profit organization, the Institute for the Study and Monitoring of Santorini Volcano (ISMOSAV).

Taal: A broad stratigraphic framework was established, complemented by more detailed studies of ~5ka BP eruptions. Current work is examining sequence of activity within single eruptions, and notable variation from proximal to distal facies. Workshops for scientists and local leaders.

Teide: Teide became the site for a Post-Graduate International Course on Volcanology, sponsored by UNESCO, IAVCEI, and other organizations. Procedures for preparing and releasing volcanic hazards information were formalized in law. GIS methods were used to assess and portray hazards and risks.

Ulawun: A 1998 workshop developed plans for improved seismic monitoring, a hazard map that reflects common Ulawun activity, and study of the stability of the Ulawun edifice. Unfortunately, a massive civil service cutback in Papua New Guinea in April-May 1999 will require that activities be scaled back or delayed. Unzen: Unzen's eruption from 1990-1995 was exceptionally well documented, and many scientific lessons have been published (for example, special issue of Jour. Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 1999). Also, debate about whether the eruption had ended led to a useful set of criteria for this purpose -- some of which were later applied to Montserrat.

Vesuvius: The first modern evacuation plan for Vesuvius was introduced by Osservatorio Vesuviano, Gruppo Nazionale per La Vulcanologia (GNV) and Protezione Civile. It defines hazard zones, scientific alert levels and civil defense responses, referenced to the 1631 eruption. The plan calls for evacuation of ~600,000 people in 1-2 weeks, if the march of precursors toward an eruption is judged irreversible.

These and many more projects have been undertaken at Decade Volcanoes. No UN or other funding was obtained for the Decade Volcanoes project as a whole, so scientists at individual volcanoes were left to arrange funding for work as best as they could, from national and bilateral sources. Designation of volcanoes as Decade Volcanoes probably helped in some cases, but not in others. Overall, the concept of focused international, interdisciplinary work at selected volcanoes produced substantial dividends of science and volcanic risk mitigation. Scientists who were able to raise funding for new work, and those who were able to accomplish much even without new funding, deserve hearty congratulations and encouragement to continue their good work. These and other volcanoes will surely not stop erupting at the end of the Decade, nor even at the end of the millennium!

IAVCEI, sub-commission for decade volcano - June 1999

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RECENT IAVCEI MEETINGS

CITIES ON VOLCANOES 5 – SHIMABARA – JAPAN – 19th- 23th of November 2007

This Cities on Volcanoes conference was the 5th meeting, which are organized by the Cities and Volcanoes Commission of IAVCEI (International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior) every 2 years. This meeting first in Asia was received about 550 paper contributions and about 600 registered participants from about 38 countries around the world. Symposium of this meeting consisted of three main parts; “Knowing volcanoes”, “Volcanoes and Cities”, and “Living with volcanoes”. This time had been characterized by participation of residents on volcanoes and by involvement of volcanic hazard effect on long-term facilities. IAVCEI is a group of scientists who carry out researches related to volcanoes. In addition, the activity to reduce risks from volcanic eruptions and related phenomena is one of the main tasks of IAVCEI. Many active volcanoes in the world are distributed within developing countries, where many people are exposed daily to the threat from volcanic eruptions. At the point, indispensable are to monitor volcanic activities, to train young scientists in charge of the former, to hold good linkage between volcanologists, officiais and communities during the volcanic crisis, and to educate local people on volcanic phenomena. IAVCEI supports scientists from these countries to attend volcanological conferences and workshops like this time, distributes guidebooks and DVD for education, and promotes young scientists from there by giving the Award. Although IAVCEI membership brings some merits to each member, one of the most important effects to become the member is to indirectly contribute to reduction of volcanic disasters on the globe through the above activities. UNISDR was represented by Henry Gaudru (SVE). A preliminary statement (below) has been writed after the meeting.

Heisei-shinzan Appeal

COV5 at Shimabara, Nov. 23, 2007

Volcanoes, the product of hot magma gushing out from underground, have erupted numerous times since the birth of the earth. In recent years, as populations have grown and spread, humans have come to live in close contact with volcanoes and enjoy the blessings bestowed by them. As such, human beings and their communities' coexistence with volcanoes have become important themes for us.

Japan, the host country for the 5 Cities on Volcanoes Conference, has one hundred and eight active volcanoes, some of which are erupting every year. The disasters of Mt.Unzen, Mt.Usu, and Miyake-jima, still fresh in our memory, as well as Mt. Fuji, which has not erupted for three hundred years and the caldera-forming eruptions in Kyushu and Hokkaido, all give us grave concern for safety. Researchers, administrative organizations, and local people have all been working in cooperation ta create maps of hazardous areas, debris protection and so on. It is from within this environment, that this five-day COV5 Conference has been held based on the theme of “Communities' coexistence with volcanoes”, co-hosted by academics and administrators. Scientists, administrators, disaster managers, the media and citizens from Japan and abroad have all gathered in Shimabara; revived and reborn as a safe and peaceful city. Through enthusiastic exchange of knowledge, experiences and discussion we have produced the following results; 1. In our meeting, we discussed the latest results from a wide spectrum of volcanological research, and realized the necessity of sound interpretation of volcanic phenomena based on real-time, muiti-sensor observations. A probabilistic approach to volcanic disaster assessment is indispensable. Therefore, we must create databases of eruptions and related phenomena, including WOVOdat. 2. it is important that information from scientists and disaster agencies is integrated and reflected in risk management, and that long-term land use planning considers future risks. It was suggested that recovery processes are considered not only for infrastructure but also for communities. 3. Disaster preparedness, well in advance of an emergency situation, was cited as a key point. This is an important addition to creating thrusting relationships among scientists, officials, residents and mass media. The development and implementation of outreach and education activities provide a means ta improve community awareness about volcanoes. 4. COV5 has attempted a new style of international conference, with participants flot only from research, administrative and disaster management backgrounds, but also ordinary citizens themselves. After the fruitful discussions of the past five days, we here and now declare to make greater efforts to reduce the challenges faced by volcanic eruptions around the world and to form communities living with volcanoes', creating stronger links of communication with those involved.

We hope from the bottom of our hearts that this COV5 Conference helps enhance people's awareness of volcanic disasters, promote partnership within the community, and bring people together in facing the volcanoes and disasters head-on, blessed with safety.

Contact : Henry Gaudru, UNISDR scientific advisor for volcanic risk mitigation - Cities in Volcanoes Commission