U.S. Volcanoes and Current Activity Alerts
# 6330
While Alaska and Hawaii are famed for their volcanic activity, it may come as a surprise to many Americans that the United States has 169 `active’ volcanoes within its borders, with about 40 of those in the `lower 48’ states.
Washington is one of the states with a large number of volcanoes, and so May has been proclaimed Volcano Awareness Month.
The Washington State EMD (Emergency Management Division) has advice and information for those living in close proximity of volcanoes.
News / Activities:
USGS / EMD Volcano Awareness Month Announcement
USGS Cascades Volcano ObservatoryPreparedness for Volcano Hazards
In English PDF
In Spanish PDF
In Russian PDF
In Korean PDF
In Chinese PDF
In Vietnamese PDF
What To Do: During an eruption and ashfall (see page #2) (PDF)
How to Shelter-in-Place (PDF)
Shelter-in-Place Video (Quicktime Required)
From the USGS we have a FAQ with that addresses many of the questions the public may have about volcanoes in the United States. A brief snippet below, but follow the link to read it in its entirety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Volcano Monitoring
To anticipate the awakening or reawakening of a volcano, volcanologists watch for changes caused by moving or pressurizing magma and associated changes in the hydrothermal system surrounding the magma. Magma moving toward the surface can cause swarms of earthquakes; swelling, subsidence, or cracking of the volcano's flanks; and changes in the amount or types of gases that are emitted from a volcano. The USGS continuously monitors many volcanoes in the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Alaska, and Wyoming (Yellowstone) to detect unusual activity.
Q: Why is it important to monitor volcanoes?
-
A: The United States and its territories contain 169 geologically active volcanoes, of which 54 volcanoes are a very high or high threat to public safety [National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS)]. Many of these volcanoes have erupted in the recent past and will erupt again in the foreseeable future. As populations increase, areas near volcanoes are being developed and aviation routes are increasing. As a result, more people and property are at risk from volcanic activity. Future eruptions could affect hundreds of thousands of people. To help prevent loss of life and property, the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners monitor these volcanoes, and issue warnings of impending eruptions.
Real-time monitoring of volcanoes, with the use of volcano seismology, gas, thermal, and surface deformation measurements, permits scientists to anticipate with varying degrees of certainty, the style and timing of an eruption. While our present state of knowledge does not allow us to predict the exact time and place of eruptions, we can detect changes from usual behavior that precede impending eruptions. We communicate these changes in our volcano updates. The information in the volcano updates allows scientists, public officials, and people in communities at risk to make preparations that can reduce losses during an eruption. Because volcanoes can erupt with little warning, continuous monitoring is important even if a volcano is not showing signs of activity.
-
While major volcanic eruptions on the U.S. mainland are rare events, they have the potential to be extremely disruptive when they do occur.
For that reason, emergency planners urge:
- Plan ahead. Have emergency supplies, food and water stored.
- Plan an evacuation route away from rivers or streams that may carry lahars.
- Keep a battery-operated radio available at all times.
- If there is an eruption predicted, monitor the radio or TV for information. Follow the advice given by authorities.
Note: Lahars are debris or mud flows from a volcano, and can be particularly dangerous.
While it may sound a bit like a broken record, the advice for citizens to be prepared – whether it be for a volcanic eruption, tsunami, earthquake, or some other disaster – continues to ring forth from numerous federal, state and local agencies.
They know that during any serious disaster that emergency services will be severely strained, and that during the opening hours and even days, many people will have to fend for themselves.
The government takes these threats seriously, and so should you. To learn more on how to prepare for any type of disaster, visit Ready.gov and FEMA.
