Volcanic Alert Level Explained

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

The Volcanic Alert Level system has six levels ranging from 5 (major volcanic eruption) to 0 (no volcanic activity):[4]

Volcanic Alert LevelVolcanic ActivityMost likely hazardsExample
5Major volcanic eruptionEruption hazards on and beyond volcano
4Moderate volcanic eruptionEruption hazards on and near volcano2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption
3Minor volcanic eruptionEruption hazards near vent
2Moderate to heightened volcanic unrestVolcanic unrest hazards, potential for eruption hazardsWhakaari / White Island in 2019 before eruption[5] [6]
1Minor volcanic unrestVolcanic unrest hazards
0No volcanic unrestVolcanic environment hazards

Elsewhere

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]

The three common popular classifications of volcanoes can be subjective, and some volcanoes thought to have been extinct have erupted again.

External links

Volcanic Alert Level Summary
Whakaari/White Island Alert Level

Notes and References

  1. GeoNet: Volcanic Alert Bulletins
  2. www.civildefence.govt.nz Civil Defence Emergency Management Alerts and Warnings
  3. GeoNet: Whakaari/White Island – Updates
  4. Web site: GeoNet About Volcanic Alert Levels.
  5. News: Volcanic alert level rises on White Island . 10 December 2019 . Radio New Zealand . 18 November 2019 . en-nz.
  6. https://www.geonet.org.nz/vabs/5QZrCOYsaD2I9FFHDnR8RU Volcanic Alert Bulletin WI – 2019/18
  7. Web site: Volcanic Alert Levels of Various Countries . Volcanolive.com . 22 August 2011.
  8. [The Sydney Morning Herald]