Systems of Prediction, Preparation and Prevention Are So Well Developed, Catastrophe Is Avoidable – in the Extent of Volcanic Hazards, Discuss the Extent to Which You Agree with This View
A volcanic hazard refers to any potentially dangerous volcanic process such as lava flows, pyroclastic flows and ash. Undoubtedly, prediction, prevention and preparation can reduce the impacts of volcanic hazards quite considerably however; the destruction caused by a hazard can never truly be prevented completely. Therefore, despite improvements in technology and community preparedness, there is no guarantee that all catastrophes can be avoided. It is especially dependable on a country’s economic and political stability. LIC’s are much less likely than HIC’s to be able to avoid life threatening volcanic hazards because they have much more of a vulnerable population. They lack education, scholars and scientists, advanced infrastructure and resources that are volcano proof as well as the means to pay for fast recovery and protection from future hazards. The Parks Response model is useful in showing how a country deals with a cataclysmic event and the time it takes to respond and its recovery. Depending on a countries stakeholders involvement and how well equipped they are, in such an event such as national and local government support, emergency services and insurers then this can determine the standard of management and reduction of the effects emitted by hazard.
A volcanic catastrophe is different for each country around the globe. While it is easy to state that volcanic eruptions are far more deadly on destructive plate boundaries than constructive, it is also dependable on how prepared a country is to minimise the effects. For example Mount Etna situated in Sicily, where subduction of the African plate beneath the Eurasian plate is occurring, making it one of the most active volcanoes in the world in which it is in an constant state of activity. Surrounding communities of Mont Etna experience eruptions of basaltic lava, severe earthquakes, gas plume emission, volcanic dust, ash falls and phreatic eruptions more frequently than most. They now therefore have the Catania section of the Instituto Nazionale di Geogisisica e Vulconalogia (INGV) monitoring the volcano for the past 20 years with a permanent network of remote seismic, geodetic, magnetic and gravimetric sensors that are connected to the acquisition centre through radio and mobiles. Moreover, this data is observed, surveyed and laboratory analysed to revalue in real time the activity level of the volcano in order to issue warnings and evacuation plans. Due to this advanced monitoring technology and protection policy all deaths in the last 20 years on Etna have been due to lightening strikes and accidents, something that cannot be avoided or to do with volcanic activity. However implementation of protection and prevention schemes, did reduce the impact of the hazard itself. However, the eruption of 2002 completely destroyed the tourist station at Piano Provenzana and Rifugio Sapeinza on the south side of the volcano. Airports of Catania were closed due to ash and