Volcanic hazards in the Hawaiian Islands

Author:

Mullineaux, Donal R., Peterson, Donald W., Crandell, Dwight R.

Title:

Volcanic hazards in the Hawaiian Islands

Periodical:

Volcanism in Hawaii

Year:

1987

Pages:

p. 599-621

Subject:

Volcanoes Volcanic ash, tuff, etc. Volcanic hazard analysis

Summary:

Volcanic eruptions have built the Hawaiian Islands, and similar eruptions in the future will affect many areas in them, especially on Kilauea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes on the Island of Hawaii. Some of those eruptions will endanger people and property. Hazards that result directly from eruptions include lava flows, tephra falls, volcanic gases, and pyroclastic surges. Less direct hazards associated with eruptions include ground fractures and subsidence, earthquakes, and tsunamis. The Islands of Hawaii and Maui have been subdivided on maps, for some kinds of hazards, into various zones of differing magnitude of hazard. These hazard-zone maps can be used for making land-use decisions before eruptions occur and for responding to actual or threatened eruptions. Hazard-zone maps for earthquakes and tsunamis are not included in this report; however, earthquakes of both volcanic and nonvolcanic origin can affect extensive areas in the islands, and tsunamis can be highly damaging in narrow coastal zones. Because most volcanic events cannot be effectively controlled, volcanic hazards are best avoided by land-use planning before eruptions occur and by evacuation when they do occur. Mitigation measures to reduce effects from lava flows can be effective, at least temporarily, but such measures are generally more effective for some other hazards such as tephra falls and volcanic gases.

URL:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1987/1350/

Collection:

Monographs