Even when things are quiet, there’s the possibility of mudflows and landslides. There is also the risk of toxic gas exposure, as well as super-heated waters, says Dr. Erik Klemetti Gonzalez. He is a volcanologist from Denison University. “When volcanoes erupt you are exposed lava flows, hot ash avalanches, explosions and more.”
Tracy Gregg, expert in planetary volcanology at the University of Buffalo, says that every volcano has a “personality” or distinct patterns of eruptive behavior and hazards. “Each volcano is unique, and there is no single ‘tell-tale’ sign that a volcano will erupt,” Gregg says.
Save national and local resources
The Global Volcanism Network is a great resource for travelers to use when researching the risks associated with visiting an active volcanic site. This website maintains a complete listing of all the active volcanoes around the world.
Gregg says, “Countries with active volcanoes have national organizations that are tasked with communicating information and monitoring the volcanoes to the public.” Find that website, and visit it frequently. The information there is likely to be outdated (if not even older), and will not protect you in the event of an eruption.
The US is the USGS Volcano Hazards Website that monitors eruptions and provides warnings. Iceland’s equivalent is the Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes This list contains active volcanic hazards in the Philippines. PHILVOLC.
Don’t: Forget your homework—or your expert guide
Einat Lev recommends hiring a guide to take you on a volcano excursion. Lev says, “Guides are very knowledgeable about the volcanoes and can easily detect changes in their behavior.”
Some locations allow for self-guided tour. Mount Etna is one example where hikers are able to climb independently up the mountain. Gregg advises that if you choose to take this route, it is important to inform local authorities of your plans. You should also have a method to contact help, such as a radio if there is no cell service, and a plan for an emergency evacuation.
Many national parksEvery day, rangers provide free educational programming in places such as Hawai’iVolcanoesNational Park. Travelers can also book certified tour guides and agencies at other destinations. volcano hikes. Local experts monitor the well-being of guests, look for signs such as fatigue or altitude sickness, and make decisions in real time based on weather conditions and volcanic activity.
Mariela Sapon, a guide for Lava Trails, a volcanic tour company in GuatemalaIt is also noted that most guides “are trained in emergency response, and are always in constant contact with us and the other guides on our mountain.” Their presence provides an unbeatable level of security, knowledge, and insight.
Lev says, however, that a guide’s risk tolerance may be different than a visitor who has never been to the area before. She says that when hiring a tour guide, you should “ask them about their daily risk assessment, what sources they use, and how they plan to respond in different situations.”
