Open AccessQuantifying hazard and risk assessments at active volcanoes
Author(s) -
Zimbelman David,
Watters Robert J.,
Bowman Steve,
Firth Ian
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2003eo230001
Subject(s) - volcano , geology , volcanic hazards , stratovolcano , hazard , hazard analysis , seismology , natural hazard , earth science , volcanic rock , engineering , chemistry , oceanography , organic chemistry , aerospace engineering
Mass‐waste events from volcanic edifice collapse constitute one of the world's most catastrophic natural hazards. To date, hazards associated with collapse have generally been considered evenly dispersed about a volcano. However, these events are often referred to as sector collapses because only part of a volcano's summit and flank collapse. This is because volcanoes do not have uniform geology or geotechnical characteristics and, thus, their hazard distributions are also non‐uniform. To assess the non‐uniform distribution of geologic controls on volcano stability, we have developed a method that combines field‐based geologic mapping and sampling with mineralogic, petrologic, stable‐isotope geochemical, and geotechnical laboratory studies. Our results provide methods that help quantify the non‐uniform stability of stratovolcanoes and significantly improve volcanic hazard and risk assessments.