Mitigation Measures for a future Mt Fuji Eruption

Mitigation Measures for a future Mt Fuji Eruption: Ash impacts

Evacuate or shelter in place? �Life safety? Cause of casualties following ash fall �Roof collapse of structures �Falls during clean up operations �Public Health concerns �Airborne ash creates a respirable hazard �Contamination of water supplies (and food? ) �Infrastructure disruption �After the ashfall �Infrastructure Restoration �Clean up �Self-evacuation from ashy areas likely

Observations from areas following ash fall (typically >20 mm) � Volcanic ash falls are often regarded as exotic events (mysterious) which are rarely planned for � Health (most important!) � What does ash do to me…. to my children? � What will ash do to water supplies? � What impact will it have on food? � Infrastructure � Electricity, transportation and water supply � � disruptions are most common Unexpected impacts. Can they be mitigated? Hard to clean up. Where can I dump it? More time & $$ than expected � Farming � What will ash do to my animals? � What will ash do to my crops? � How can I remediate the damage? � How much Fluoride is in the ash?

Some considerations for mitigating ash fall risk � Access to specialised, sector-specific impact, preparedness and post-event response/recovery information is a gap for volcanic ash preparedness globally � International experience suggests generally poor awareness of hazard, the likely impacts and how to mitigate � Lack of preparation actions costly (time + money + social impact) � Trial and error approach Delays effective response, risks public relations ‘issues’

Health – IVHHN (www. ivhhn. org) �Respiratory �Water contamination �Clean up guidelines

Infrastructure: Sector specific posters � Electricity – distribution & transmission � Electricity – generation � Water supply � Wastewater � Airport � Road Managers � http: //www. gns. cri. nz/Home/Learning/Scien ce-Topics/Volcanoes/Eruption-What-todo/Ash-Impact-Posters

Infrastructure: Crossing-cutting posters �Management of Buildings �Gen. Sets/HVAC, �Computers + Electronics �Urban Clean Up �http: //www. gns. cri. nz/Home/Learnin g/Science-Topics/Volcanoes/Eruption -What-to-do/Ash-Impact-Posters

Agriculture �Resources prepared before eruption. �Advice tailored during eruption crises �Likely impacts �Provide mitigation options �Agricultural Impacts � http: //www. mpi. govt. nz/environment -natural-resources/fundingprogrammes/primary-sectorrecovery/volcanic-eruptions

Volcanic ash analysis protocols �How hazardous is the ash? �Clear, robust science using accepted, standardised protocols �Respiratory �Leachate �www. ivhhn. org �Established pre-eruption �Multi-agency �Key part of risk communication strategy

An example Integration of scientific organisations within emergency management framework Extends beyond volcanologists Agriculturalists, engineers, social scientists, etc. Public and Media Rural Sector DHBs Event Local CDEM Mo. H National Lifelines MPI Geo. Net National Volcanic Science Advisory Panel Science information and advice Agency coordination Public information Volcanic Health Subgroup (incl ESR) Lifelines (infrastructure) Subgroup Agriculture Subgroup Draft New Zealand Volcanic Advisory Science Panel: courtesy of Richard Smith – EQC