Volcanic Activity
Eruptions and unrest within range
What is it?
Volcanic hazards include ashfall, pyroclastic flows, lahars (volcanic mudflows) and gas. Ash clouds disrupt aviation and health far from the vent; flows are lethal but localized to valleys around the volcano.
How we measure it
Active volcanic events within range from GDACS, with alert level reflecting eruption scale and population exposure.
GDACS alert levels
- NoneNo eventNo significant activity in range
- GreenMonitorActivity tracked; low expected impact
- OrangePrepareEscalating unrest or moderate eruption
- RedActMajor eruption affecting populations
Within safe range
With no events, risk is dormant; near an active volcano, know whether your area lies in mapped lahar or flow paths.
Beyond the range
In an eruption, pyroclastic flows travel over 100 km/h and are unsurvivable — evacuation before arrival is the only protection. Ashfall collapses roofs when wet, shorts power equipment, and irritates lungs; a few millimetres disrupts a city.
Precautions
- Respect exclusion zones — flows follow valleys with no warning time.
- During ashfall: stay indoors, seal openings, N95 outdoors, goggles not contact lenses.
- Clear roof ash promptly (wet ash is heavy); protect water tanks and electronics.
- Driving in ash: slow, lights on, extra distance — it is slippery and abrasive.
- Follow the local observatory's alert level, not rumours.