Volcanic activity
A volcano is a rupture in the Earth's surface that allows hot (and usually molten) rock, ash and gases originating in the Earth's crust or mantle to escape. Volcanic activity involving the extrusion or expulsion of magma over time tends to form mountains or mountain-like features. Volcanoes occur at divergent plate boundaries (spreading ridges), convergent plate boundaries (subduction zones) and above mantle "hotspots".
Supervolcanoes are an exajerated form of the ordinary volcano and exist at various places around the world. It produces the largest eruptions known on Earth; which have the power to dramatically force a climate change - often lasting years. The most famous of eruptions have been Yellowstone National Park in America (2.2 and 1.3 million years ago) and Lake Toba in Indonesia (75,000 years ago). Each supervolcano has an eruption area hundreds of kilometres wide.
The Lake Toba eruption sent the Earth into a volcanic winter; eradicating 60% of the human population on Earth. Civilisations, cultures and races were destroyed. The occurance of an eruption from a supervolcano is considerably rarer than ordinary volcanoes but catastrophic when they occur. In more recent years, volcanic activity has greatly increased in America's Yellowstone park; which can be quantitatively measured as it shifts the landscape and moves the resident lake into a forest. According to the occurance of previous eruptions, the timescale predicts that an eruption is definately well on it's way to becoming reality.
A documentary from the BBC has been produced (entitled "Supervolcano" in 2000) in which the consequences of a Yellowstone eruption are highlighted. The whole world would be plunged into darkness for several years and most of America as we know it would be obliterated. The problem being that scientists still know so little about these events.
An artist's impression of the result of an eruption is posted with this article as an attachment.
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| supervolcano from BBC documentary | 226.13 KB |
Redoute Alert Status Anchorage Alaska & Safety tips
http://www.avo.alaska.edu/volcanoes/volcinfo.php?volcname=Redoubt
Redoubt Volcano Latest Observations
2009-01-30 19:19:23
Seismic unrest continues at Redoubt and activity is well above normal background levels.
AVO continues to observe potential activity with seismic, satellite and radar data. The volcano has not erupted.
An AVO observation flight this afternoon reported no sign of ash emission, but observed significant steaming from a new melt depression at the mouth of the summit crater near the vent area of the 1989-90 eruption.
The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH.
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This reminds me of Redoute's eruption 20 years (-/+). We all wait.... praying all she'll do is throw out ash this time like before. For some that was even too much as they were affected with breathing difficulty; sadly some passed away from restricted airways. Having a child with Cystic Fibrosis we fear the ash will affect his air ways. We refresh our minds of prevention techniques to keep our lungs/airways healthy during an ash overlay. We WATCH and we PRAY and we LEARN.
The earth quakes are also fearful for us. As they keep becoming more aggressive we WATCH even more. We forget to be prepared. We live hoping nothing will go wrong. So, some don't pack their emergency back packs. If you need tips about ASH avoidance and clean up you can go here http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/ (Tips for Alaskan's but I feel can be useful for everyone). Emergency Preparedness and Response link is: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/volcanoes/ (CDC site). Keep watching your local news station or radio news station for updates.
Remember to not rub ash off your car or use your windshield whippers. Call your auto insurance for coverage of volcano damage on your policy. Once a volcano is on alert most insurance companies won't allow you to add this coverage to your policy, however, will give you tips to prevent damage to paint. Air filters should be changed immediately. If at all possible don't drive your car. I have seen people over up their car grills with cheese clothes or pantyhose. Don't use your air conditioner and keep your heater off. Setting on the car if you put it on air drawn from outside will put tiny particles into your car. Wipe down your dash board immediately.
Home care: Don't use your air conditioners, range top fans, bath room fans and close windows. Keep facial masks on hand not only for volcano hazards but for flu, or cold seasons. Wearing one while at the doctors office will help reduce catching other illnesses while your resistances are low. Check your homeowner policy to find out which acts of Mother nature can be added to your home. If you are living in a mobile home you may want to check there availability on debris removal.
Backpacks: Don't forget your water (remember to not reuse milk containers), flash light, batteries, first aid kit, first aid blankets, medication sealed in water proof bags, radio (very small portable one), dried foods hold out best, protein bars (without inulin are best for IBS suffers or check with your doctor if they are okay for use due to gas and bloating). Since backpack space is limited it is better to keep extra underwear (for 1 to 2 weeks) in a waterproof bag then carry extra clothes. If you have pets dried food is better as water will be limited and won't cause tooth decay. Remember animals drink more water during stressful situations but can reduce food consumption based on breed of animal. Ask your vet about what is best to pack in a way of an emergency kit for your animal and pack a separate bag for each pet.
FEMA, Red Cross, AVO, and using your search engines are useful tools to finding out more information about volcano's.