V. O. B. P. (Volcanic Observatories Best Practices-Observatorios Volcanológicos Buenas Prácticas)

Volcanologists meet in Sicily to identify best practices in short-term eruption forecasting On September 11 to 15, 2011, 80 volcanologists associated with volcano observatories in 27 countries gathered at the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture in Erice, Italy to share experiences and develop synergy in short-term forecasting of eruptions. The meeting was conducted under the aegis of World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO), sponsored by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), United States Geological Survey (USGS), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI), and endorsed by Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Participants reviewed globally distributed examples of successful and unsuccessful eruption forecasts and their outcomes. The group recognized that uncertainties inherent in forecasting must be clearly communicated. The circumstances of volcano observatories vary widely. However, effective monitoring, advanced preparation, and clear and timely communication between observatories and civil protection authorities were identified as keys to success. The workshop demonstrated that sharing of experiences and practices internationally can improve the performance of observatories and increase efficiency of operations. A document reporting results of the discussions is in preparation. Future best practices workshops will address other important themes, such as long-term forecasting, instrumental monitoring and data processing, and communications.

E.R.: Distintas regiones en todo el mundo, con características poblacionales y culturales diversas, presentan diferentes amenazas volcánicas dependiendo de sus parámetros climáticos y geográficos. En muchos países –densamente poblados- las amenazas volcánicas principales corresponden a lahares – flujos piroclásticos – caída de cenizas – lava, en orden decreciente. Por otro lado, durante o mucho después de las erupciones y/o en períodos de sequía, fuertes vientos interactúan y remueven las lluvias de cenizas y los depósitos de cenizas, creando serias amenazas para las poblaciones, el ambiente y la aeronavegación, en regiones proximales o distales del origen magmático.