Managing Volcanoes Case Study - Italy (AC)

Question 1

What is Italy’s tectonic setting?

Answer 1

There are several fracture zones in the Mediterranean between the African and Eurasian plates, causing many well-documented eruptions such as Mount Etna in Sicily, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Question 2

How has Italy modified the event of a volcanic impact?

Answer 2

Italy has had some success using earth barriers, concrete blocks, or dug channels to divert and slow lava flows.

Question 3

What are the two ways that the Volcano Risk Service (CFCRV) manages the vulnerability of volcanic events in Italy?

Answer 3

• Volcanic eruptions are analysed long-term including comparisons to similar international eruptions.
• Monitoring using seismographs, tilt meters, aerial and satellite surveys, infrared sensors and gas emission monitors takes place.

Question 4

What are the two other ways that Italy manages the vulnerability of volcanic events? (Not related to the CFCRV)

Answer 4

• An alert-level sequence is established and understood by all levels of government and emergency services, including evacuation and closure of airports and air space.
• Houses are surveyed to identify which are at risk from volcanic hazards, and offered affordable solutions such as adding a pitched roof onto a flat roof to prevent ash buildup.

Question 5

What are the two ways that Italy deals with the destruction caused by volcanic hazards?

Answer 5

• Individuals and businesses are compensated for damages.
• Infrastructure is quickly repaired and restored.

Question 6

How does Italy minimise casualties and prepare public services for volcanic hazards?

Answer 6

• Early evacuations and alert-level sequence allows people to escape the hazard itself.
• The public services are trained to deal with volcanic hazards.

Question 7

What are the two potential problems with managing hazards from Vesuvius?

Answer 7

• If there was an eruption similar to its past eruptions, 600,000 people live in the high risk or ‘red zone’.
• The volcano is closely monitored, but the confidence in accurately predicting an eruption is low.

Question 8

What are the two potential problems with the evacuation plans?

Answer 8

• Evacuation plans are poorly understood by the population and are criticised for being insufficient.
• False alarms could be very expensive, causing large economic losses.