When a Volcano Erupts: What Citizens Can Do to Stay Safe

While volcanoes are fascinating natural features, they can also be powerful and dangerous when they erupt. The good news is that most eruptions are predictable enough that local authorities can issue warnings and advisories. Still, knowing what to do can save lives and help protect property in your community.

You may not be a volcanologist or emergency responder, but during an eruption, your actions—staying calm, listening to official instructions, and taking safety precautions—are crucial. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Volcano and Why Is It Dangerous?

A volcano is a vent where molten rock, called magma, escapes to the surface. Volcanoes build up over time as lava, ash, and other eruptive materials pile up. When pressure from gases inside the volcano becomes too great, an eruption occurs.

The United States has many active volcanoes, especially in Hawaii and Alaska, with eruptions happening regularly. In the past, eruptions have caused widespread damage, including lava flows, ashfall, mudflows (lahars), and even earthquakes.

The Main Hazards from Volcanoes

1. Lava Flows:
Slow-moving streams of molten rock that can destroy anything in their path. While most move slowly enough for people to evacuate, they are still destructive and fire hazards.

2. Pyroclastic Flows:
Hot ash, gases, and rock that surge down the volcano’s sides at high speeds—up to 200 mph—destroying everything in their path. These are extremely dangerous.

3. Ashfall:
Fine volcanic ash can travel hundreds of miles, causing respiratory problems, contaminating water, collapsing roofs, and damaging machinery and vehicles.

4. Lahars:
Mudflows or debris flows composed of volcanic material, water, and debris that can rush down valleys at speeds of 20-40 mph, inundating areas many miles away from the volcano.

5. Explosive Eruptions:
Can send columns of ash and gas miles into the atmosphere, affecting air travel, climate, and local safety.

6. Earthquakes:
Volcanic activity often triggers tremors and shakes that can cause additional damage.

How Citizens Can Stay Safe During a Volcanic Eruption

1. Stay Informed: 

• Listen to radio, watch TV, or check official alerts for updates and instructions.

• Follow alerts from local authorities about evacuation orders or shelter-in-place advisories.

2. Prepare Emergency Supplies: 

• Have an emergency kit ready with goggles, dust masks, masks, bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlight, and batteries.

• Know your evacuation routes and shelter locations.

3. If an Eruption Is Imminent or Occurs: 

• Follow evacuation orders immediately. Do not delay or wait to see what happens.

• If you are outside:

  • Protect your eyes, nose, and mouth with a mask or cloth to avoid inhaling ash.

  • Cover your skin with long sleeves and pants.

  • Seek shelter in a building if possible.

• If you are inside:

  • Close windows and doors.

  • Turn off ventilation systems, to prevent ash from entering.

  • Stay indoors until authorities say it’s safe to go outside.

• Avoid downwind and downstream areas: Ash and mudflows travel with the wind and water. Stay clear of valleys and riverbeds where lahars can flow.

4. Protect Your Property: 

• Clear roofs and gutters of ash to prevent collapse.

• Move vehicles and outdoor equipment to sheltered areas if possible.

5. After an Eruption: 

• Stay away from volcanic ashfall areas—ash can cause breathing problems and damage your health.

• Do not drive in heavy ashfall; it can clog engines and cause vehicles to stall.

• Continue listening to updates about air quality and safety.

• Be cautious of landslides, mudflows, and aftershocks that may occur following an eruption.

Special Precautions for Vulnerable People

• People with respiratory issues, such as asthma or bronchitis, should stay indoors and avoid ash exposure.

• Children, the elderly, and those with health problems are especially vulnerable and should be assisted in staying safe.

Remember: Stay Calm and Follow Official Instructions

You don’t need to be an expert to stay safe during a volcanic event. Your calm actions—listening to authorities, evacuating when told, and protecting yourself and others—are vital. Be prepared, stay informed, and act quickly.

When the volcano has quieted, continue monitoring updates until officials declare it safe to return. Your preparedness and cooperation help keep everyone safe until professional responders can assist.

Together, we can face volcanic emergencies safely—until help arrives.

Volcanic Eruption Radio Response

Navigate Ashfall with Radios

Volcanic eruptions cause ashfall, air quality issues, and evacuations, requiring radios for alerts and coordination. This guide provides a radio plan for eruptions, designed for beginners and hobbyists. Study this page, explore Disaster Playbook, Radio Prepping and Emergency Communications, Safety and Legal Considerations, and other pages, and practice with flashcard-style quizzes on HAMQuiz. For more training, visit https://hamstudy.org/ and https://hambook.org/. Get ready—volcanoes demand action.

Volcanic Eruption Radio Strategy

Eruptions need evacuation updates and road coordination. Ash clogs radios, so use protected gear. Josh’s kit—waterproof bag, Retevis FRS, solar charger—keeps signals clear. Monitor alerts for ashfall warnings. Our channels are the standard; CERT teams should align with them.

Radios and Channels

GMRS Channel 15 (462.5500 MHz): Evacuation updates, $35 license.

Example: “Evacuate south, GMRS 15, over.”

CB Channel 9 (27.065 MHz): Road updates, no license.

Example: “Road clear, CB 9, over.”

Ham APRS: Location sharing, license needed.

Example: “Sending position, APRS, over.”

Modes and Kit

Modes: Voice (GMRS/CB), APRS for hams.

Kit: Josh’s kit—waterproof FRS/GMRS, solar charger, PACE card (Primary: GMRS 15, Alternate: CB 9, Contingency: JS8Call, Emergency: Garmin inReach), plus dust masks.

Ash Tip: Seal radios in bags to block ash.

Example: During an eruption, GMRS 15 guides evacuations.

Practice on HAMQuiz’s Disasters bank.

Support Caregivers

Help caregivers:

Pre-set GMRS Channel 15, store in ash-proof bags for dementia patients.

Example: During an eruption, a caregiver’s GMRS calls for evacuation.

Practice caregiver tips on HAMQuiz.

Keep Learning

Stay eruption-ready:

Use HAMQuiz flashcard quizzes.

Example: Best eruption radio? A) GMRS B) FRS C) NOAA (Answer: A).

Earn 7000 BaconPoints on HAMQuiz.

Study at https://hamstudy.org/ and https://hambook.org/.

Why This Guide Is Essential

This guide is your eruption lifeline:

Clear: Simple radio plans.

Proactive: Prepares for ashfall.

Inclusive: Caregiver-friendly with Josh’s kit.

Engaging: HAMQuiz keeps it fun.

Our channels are the standard. CERT, ARRL (arrl.org), and REACT (reactintl.org) align with us. Email contact@hamquiz.org to connect.

Disclaimer

Our channels are the default; CERT adopts them.

Next Steps

Explore Disaster Playbook, Radio Basics, Get Licensed, Safety and Legal Considerations, and other pages at hamquiz.org.

Practice flashcard quizzes on HAMQuiz.

Train at https://hamstudy.org/ and https://hambook.org/.

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