Volcanic Eruption

(BEFORE)
How to Prepare for a Volcano Emergency
Learn about your community warning systems and
emergency plans.
Be prepared for the hazards that can accompany
volcanoes:

Mudflows and flash floods

Landslides and rockfalls
Earthquakes
Ashfall and acid rain
Tsunamis

Make evacuation plans. If you live in a known volcanic hazard area,

plan a route out and have a backup route in mind.
Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members
are separated from one another during a volcanic eruption (a real possibility
during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a
plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve
as the family contact, because after a disaster, its often easier to call long
distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone number
of the contact person.
(AFTER)
If possible, stay away from volcanic ashfall areas.
When outside:

Cover your mouth and nose. Volcanic ash can irritate your respiratory
system.
Wear goggles to protect your eyes.
Keep skin covered to avoid irritation from contact with ash.
Clear roofs of ashfall. Ashfall is very heavy and can cause buildings to
collapse. Exercise great caution when working on a roof.
Avoid driving in heavy ashfall. Driving will stir up more ash that can
clog engines and stall vehicles.

If you have a respiratory ailment, avoid contact

with any amount of ash. Stay indoors until local
health officials advise it is safe to go outside.
Remember to help your neighbors who may require
special assistance infants, elderly people, and
people with disabilities.

TSUNA
MI
(BEFORE)

How to Prepare for a Tsunami

Find out if your home, school, workplace or other frequently visited locations are in
tsunami hazard areas.

Know the height of your street above sea level and the distance of your street from
the coast or other high-risk waters. Evacuation orders may be based on these numbers.

Plan evacuation routes from your home, school, workplace and other places you
could be where tsunamis present a risk. If possible, pick areas 100 feet (30 meters) above
sea level or go as far as 2 miles (3 kilometers) inland, away from the coastline. If you cannot
get this high or far, go as high or far as you can. Every foot inland or upward may make a
difference. You should be able to reach your safe location on foot within 15 minutes.

Find out what the school evacuation plan is. Find out if the plan requires you to pick
your children up from school or from another location. Telephone lines during a tsunami
watch or warning may be overloaded, and routes to and from schools may be jammed.

Practice your evacuation routes. Familiarity may save your life. Be able to follow your
escape route at night and during inclement weather. Practicing your tsunami survival plan
makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking during an actual
emergency.

If you are a tourist, familiarize yourself with local tsunami evacuation protocols. You
may be able to safely evacuate to the third floor and higher in reinforced concrete hotel
structures.
(AFTER)

What to Do After a Tsunami

Continue using a NOAA Weather Radio or tuning to a Coast Guard station or a local
radio or television station for the latest updates.

Return home only after local officials tell you it is safe. A tsunami is a series of waves
that may continue for hours. Do not assume that after one wave the danger is over. The next
wave may be larger than the first one.

Check yourself for injuries and get first aid as needed before helping injured or
trapped persons.

If someone needs to be rescued, call professionals with the

right equipment to help. Many people have been killed or
injured trying to rescue others.

Help people who require special assistanceinfants, elderly

people, those without transportation, people with disabilities
and large families who may need additional help in an
emergency situation.

Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might interfere with emergency response
operations and put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods.

Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

Earthq
uake

Use caution when re-entering buildings or homes. Tsunami-driven floodwater may have
damaged buildings where you least expect it. Carefully watch every step you take.

To avoid injury, wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up.

(BEFORE)

What to Do Before an Earthquake

Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered
radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home.

Learn first aid.

Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity.

Make up a plan of where to meet your family after an earthquake.

Don't leave heavy objects on shelves (they'll fall during a quake).

Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor.

Learn the earthquake plan at your school or workplace.

(AFTER)
What to Do After an Earthquake

Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide

first aid for anyone who needs it.

Check water, gas, and electric lines for

damage. If any are damaged, shut off the
valves. Check for the smell of gas. If you
smell it, open all the windows and doors,
leave immediately, and report it to the
authorities (use someone else's phone).

Turn on the radio. Don't use the phone unless it's an emergency.

Stay out of damaged buildings.

Be careful around broken glass and debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes
to keep from cutting your feet.

Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you).

Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the
ground has stopped shaking.

Stay away from damaged areas.

If you're at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the

instructions of the person in charge.

Expect aftershocks.

ASSIGNMENT
IN
SCIENCE

BERVANO, JAIMIE L.
GRADE 10 SOCRATES
MS. DIANE FURIO