Prediction 1) Unlike earthquakes, it’s possible to roughly predict when

a volcanic eruption will happen. Scientists can monitor

the tell-tale signs that come before a volcanic eruption.

2) Things such as tiny earthquakes, escaping gas, and

changes in the shape of the volcano (e.g. bulges in the

land where magma has built up under it) all mean an

eruption is likely.

3) Predicting when a volcano is going to erupt gives people

time to evacuate – the reduces the number of injuries

and deaths.

Planning 1) Future developments e.g. new houses, can be planned to

avoid the areas most at risk from volcanic eruptions.

This reduces the number of buildings destroyed by an

eruption.

2) Firebreaks can be made to reduce the spread of fires

3) Emergency services can trains and prepare for

disasters, e.g. by practicing setting up emergency

camps for homeless people. This reduces the number of

people killed.

4) Governments can plan evacuation routes to get people

away from the volcano quickly and safely. This reduces

the number of people injured or killed by things like

pyroclastic flows or mudflows

Building techniques 1) Buildings can’t be designed to withstand lava flows or

pyroclastic flows, but they can be strengthened so that

they’re less likely to collapse under the weight of falling

ash.

2) The lava from some volcanoes can be diverted away

from buildings using barriers.

3) Both of these reduce the number of buildings

destroyed, so fewer people will be killed, injured, made

homeless and made unemployed.

Education 1) Governments and other organizations can educate people

about how to evacuate if a volcano erupts. This helps

people to get out of danger quickly and safely, which

reduces deaths.

2) People can be told how to make a survival kit containing

things like food, water, a torch, a radio, batteries and

Reducing the Impacts of Volcanoes

dust masks. The kit reduces the chance of people dying

if they’re stuck in the area.

Aid 1) Poorer countries that have been affected by a volcanic

eruption can receive aid from governments or

organizations – it can be things like food, water, money

or people (e.g. doctors).

2) Aid helps to reduce the impacts, e.g. food aid stops

people from going hungry.