The Eruption of Nevado Del Ruiz Volcano Colombia, South America, November 13, 1985 (1991) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix B Recommendations for Improving the Existing Warning System for an Impending Eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano, Colombia, South America: An Advance Report, January/February 1986
Appendix B Recommendations for Improving the Existing Warning System for an Impending Eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano, Colombia, South America: An Advance Report, January/February 1986
Pages 97-110
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From page 97... ...
Appendix B RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE EXISTING WARNING SYSTEM FOR AN IMPENDING ERUPTION OF THE NEVADO DEL RUIZ VOLCANO, COLOMBIA, SOUTH AMERICA: AN ADVANCE REPORT COMMI TTEE ON NATURAL D I SASTERS COMMI SS ION ON ENG ~ NEER ~ NG AND TECHN ~ CAL SYSTEMS NAT I ONAL RESEARCH COUNC I L 97
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From page 98... ...
98 Reconnnendati ons for Improvi ng the Exi sti ng Wa rni ng System for an Impending Eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano, Col ombi a, South Aneri ca: An Advance Report Prepared by: APPElIDIX B Denni s S Mi 1 eti ( Team Leader )
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From page 99... ...
APPENDIX B ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The study team wishes to express its appreciation to its Colombian colleagues and to the Colombian officials who assisted it. Their full cooperati on was undoubtedly the reason for the tri p ' s success.
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From page 100... ...
Geological and seismological data on the activities of the volcano gathered at the Manizales Observatory indicate that the volcano has an extremely high probability of another major eruption soon. The only question is how soon and how "major." The impending eruption of the volcano has the potential to be a major disaster that could kill even more people than the 22,000 to 24,000 people killed in the 13 November 1985 eruption.
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From page 101... ...
At about 9:00 p.m. on 13 November 1985, two sudden blasts followed by a 25-minute eruption of red-hot pumice blocks from the crater of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano melted part of the ice cap that crowns the volcano.
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From page 102... ...
It destroyed about 400 houses and caused an estimated 1,000 deaths. THE STUDY TEAM ' S TR I P The National Research Council, through its ComTittee on Natural Disasters, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, dispatched a four-person team in February 1986 to Col ombia to study the eruption and i ts aftermath.
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From page 103... ...
Geologists estimate that the volcano has an extremely high probability of a major eruption in the near future. Using population data and information from township maps and risk maps, along with geological and seismological data available to the team members during their stay, an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 additional people will be at risk of losing their lives.
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From page 104... ...
The evacuation warning issued because of the 4 January 1986 event resul ted i n 1 ~ ttl e actual evacuati on. If scientists can predict an impending volcanic eruption of Nevado del Ruiz within a specific time frame -- e.g., several days ahead of time -- there could be enough time (even without emergency plans)
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From page 105... ...
There is an urgent need to install additional instruments at critical locations to monitor the advance of mudflows in the event of a future volcanic eruption. The telemetered seismic and ground deformation monitoring networks now deployed around the volcano give scientists at the Manizales Observatory immediate notification that an eruption is under way.
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From page 106... ...
The microwave telephone system is an existing system that provides a direct communication capability between the President and provincial governors in the case of a state emergency. The option of establishing a reliable means of communication between these offices using satellite communication technology should also be exami ned.
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From page 107... ...
The participation of local government is important in any planning effort so that local officials can be bypassed to save time in communicating warnings to the public when the system is activated. If a response scenario calls for sirens to be activated to alert the at-risk population, then activation of the sirens should be immediately followed by multiple and repeated verbal warnings from a known public official (perhaps the President)
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From page 108... ...
A half dozen or so example messages (conforming to the above guidelines} should be developed. More than one are needed because alternative eruption scenarios (a preevent false alarm, another minor eruption, etc.)
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From page 109... ...
The study team also recommends that Colombia officials consult immediately with a group of experts to resolve issues related to the communication systems best suited for the local situation and the emergency planning needed to upgrade the existing warning system for the impending volcanic eruption. The emergency planning staff of the Long Island Lighting Company has indicated their willingness to assist the group of experts in offering technical and planning assistance to Colombia if called upon to do so.
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