What to do during a volcanic eruption to survive

Volcano is a geological formation that occurs above the channels and cracks in the earth's crust, through which to the surface erupt molten rocks and hot gases.

The main danger of a volcano is not lava, as is commonly believed, but a pyroclastic flow. It is a cloud of hot ash, gases and rock fragments and distributed by with great speed.

In Russia located more than 200 volcanoes, and 56 of them are active. Here's what to do when they erupt to save life and health.

How to prepare for a volcanic eruption

If you live near an active volcano, there are certain steps you should take in advance so that the eruption does not take you by surprise.

Watch out for volcanic activity

Sometimes the awakening of a volcano can predict in advance. For example, the eruption of Popocatepetl in Mexico in 2000 successfully predicted 48 hours and evacuated tens of thousands of people, so that the victims were avoided.

Therefore, follow the local news about the state of the volcano near which you are. And don't ignore alerts from emergency alert systems.

Assemble an emergency case

Put copies of your passport, car license, real estate documents and other important papers in there in case the originals are lost or forgotten.

Leave in suitcase a supply of money and clothes, a flashlight, a spare phone with a power bank and batteries, a whistle for signaling, multi-tool and duplicate keys from the house and car, as well as a radio for receiving emergency alerts.

To protect your eyes from volcanic ash, you should buy protective glasses and respiratory N95 masks. You will also need sturdy shoes with thick soles.

Consult a doctor

Some people find it particularly difficult to breathe polluted air. Therefore, if you have diseases of the respiratory system, go to the doctor in advance. Ask him what to do if you are caught in a cloud of suspended particles and volcanic ash. Get the necessary medicines and sprays in advance and keep them on hand.

Stock up on food

Sometimes it's better to sit out the danger at home, but for this you need to have at least a week's non-perishable supply of food. Therefore, buy canned food for yourself and dry food for your pets. They are useful not only during eruptions.

Work out an evacuation plan

Together with your loved ones, think about what you will do in the event of a volcanic eruption. Check if there are special shelters provided by the rescue services nearby. Decide how and where you will evacuate yourself and how you will take your pets, if any.

What to do if you receive an evacuation signal due to a volcanic eruption

We need to act quickly, but without panic. Take next steps.

Prepare for evacuation

Take your emergency suitcase, money and documents. Pack warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Place your pets in carriers and bring a supply of food for them.

Turn off electricity, gas and water in the house

If you have time, go around the house and turn off all electrical appliances, turn off the gas and water to reduce the likelihood fire, flooding or short circuit while you are away. Then close windows and doors tightly.

Evacuate from the volcano as far as possible

Follow the instructions of local authorities or the Ministry of Emergency Situations, go to the evacuation point. If you can't find out where it is, just get away from the volcano.

If you are driving, keep doors and windows closed while driving to prevent hot ash from entering the passenger compartment. If leaving on foot, put on a mask and goggles beforehand, even if the air seems clear.

What to do in the event of a volcanic eruption if you receive a signal to stay at home

If your home is far from a volcano, it is often advisable to wait out the disaster inside. Stay tuned for news and alerts from local authorities and take action following.

Prepare the house

Close all windows and front doors. Turn off heating and air conditioning systems and fans. Close the fireplace damper if you have one. This is necessary so that volcanic ash does not enter the house.

It is best to wait out the eruption in a room without windows - there the air will be the cleanest. Don't forget to bring pets.

Check your stocks

Make sure food and water supplies are easily accessible and everyone in your family knows where they are. Fill the bathtub and sinks with water so that you have a supply of liquid in case you have to be cooped up longer than you planned.

Get ready to evacuate

Continue listening to the radio or watching TV until you are told that the threat has passed. Or until they announce the evacuation, if the eruption was strong. Make sure your receiver has fresh batteries and your phone is charged.

What to do when a volcano erupts if you happen to be near it

If you ignore or do not receive warnings and find yourself near a volcano, take immediate action following.

Leave or get away from the volcano as soon as possible

It may seem that lava flows slowly, but in fact its speed is sometimes reaches 40 km/h. And the pyroclastic flow does moving at a speed of 700 km / h, and the temperature of the gas in it ranges from 100 to 800 ° C. There is no escape from this, so do not stay on the volcano for a minute.

Avoid lowlands and downwind areas

Lowlands can be filled poisonous gases, and not only lava flows can flow along the slopes, but also lahars - mudflows provoked by an eruption.

Do not try to hide in caves and depressions: gases and hot ash particles accumulate there too. The latter is carried by the wind over long distances, so avoid downwind areas as well.

Rubble flying from the crater can cause rockfalls, so stay away from river valleys and lowlands.

Protect yourself from volcanic ash

If you are prepared and have an N95 respirator and goggles with you, wear them to avoid getting ash into your eyes and breathing system. If not, you can wrap your face with a wet scarf or handkerchief, and use sunglasses instead of goggles - it's better than nothing.

Wear outer clothing such as a jacket or sweatshirt to protect your body from the burning particles of ash.

If you have poor eyesight, it is highly advisable to remove contact lenses. This will make it easier to rinse your eyes if they do get ash.

Protect your head from rockfall

If you are hit by a rockfall, seek shelter in the nearest room. If there was no shelter nearby, curl up into a ball and cover your head and neck with something. At least by hand.

Drive carefully

In general, with heavy ashfall, driving is better. avoid, because it can easily stall due to the ingress of volcanic particles into the engine.

But if you still need to drive, keep your windows closed and do not turn on the air conditioner: because of it, polluted air and ash can get inside. Slow down and drive carefully because the ash can also damage the controls of the machine.

What to do after a volcanic eruption

When the eruption is over, do not rush to leave your shelter. Do the following instructions.

Stay in touch

Keep an eye on local authorities or emergency management until you hear that the danger has passed and you can go outside. Send SMS and messages to friends and family social networks and instant messengers, and use phone calls only in case of emergency, so as not to overload the networks of operators.

Avoid contact with volcanic ash

Even after the end of the eruption, the ash is dangerous, as it can damage the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs and eyes. Therefore, you should not leave the shelter until it finally settles down. This is especially true for people with asthma or other lung diseases.

If you still need to go outside, put on a respirator mask and goggles, or at least wrap your face in a damp towel.

Seek medical attention if needed

If you got burned during an eruption, treat yourself first aid and call an ambulance. Also, try to help others.

Inhalation of volcanic ash is very dangerous: it hurts lungs and bronchi leading to suffocation and death. It will not be possible to help a person who has suffered from it on his own - oxygen supply and, possibly, pulmonary intubation are needed. Therefore, place it in a room with clean air and immediately call an ambulance.

Be careful when cleaning your home

After the eruptiondo wet cleaning. During it, be sure to wear protective clothing, goggles and a mask to protect yourself from volcanic particles rising into the air. Do not let children play with the ashes or help you: it may not be safe.

If you live in a private house, you also need to clean the roof of ash: the latter can get wet from rain, become heavy and cause collapse. Be careful: the products of the eruption make the surfaces very slippery, and you can easily fall.