What to do before, during,
If you are driving a vehicle, pull to the
and after a volcano eruption
Before
1. Know the signs of an impending
eruption such as the increase in the
frequency of volcanic quakes
accompanied by rumbling sounds,
change in color of steam emission from
white to gray, and drying up of
vegetation, springs, and wells around
the volcano.
2. Know the community’s safety plans by
monitoring the latest advisories and
warnings, knowing the location of the
evacuation site, and preparing your
family’s go bag.
3. Each person should be aware of the
dangers that volcanic
eruptions. Volcanic eruptions are
expected to cause ash falls which in
turn could harm humans, animals,
plants, equipment’s, and structures.
Beyond that, fine volcanic ash is also
often respirable which can cause
pulmo-respiratory diseases if inhaled
over prolonged period.
4. Prepare all necessary things to bring in
case of evacuation: gas mask or clean
cloth, candles, matches, flashlights,
extra batteries. Don’t forget to prepare
your disaster kit ahead of time.
5. Know which areas are covered by the
danger zones.
During
1. Stay calm. Cover your nose and mouth
with mask or clean cloth and wear
protective goggles.
2. If you are outside, immediately seek
cover in case of ash or rock falls. Wear
glasses to protect your eyes and avoid
all low-lying places.
3. If you are inside a house, listen to the
radio for updates and developments
regarding the volcanic eruption. Close
all windows and doors of the house and
your car to prevent ashes from getting
inside.
4.
side of the road and stop if there is a
heavy ashfall.
5. As soon as the ashfall tapers, scrape off
the ash that has accummulated on roof
tops to prevent collapse.
6. When notified, immediately evacuate
to safer grounds. Stay in the evacuation
center until further instructions. Do not
attempt to leave the place unless told
to do.
7. Thoroughly wash utensils before eating.
Cover water containers and food to
avoid contamination with ash.
8. Keep your pets in their shelter or inside
the house to prevent them from
inhaling ash.
9. Stay away from rivers and streams for
possible lahar flow.
After
1. Wear masks when cleaning.
2. After removing the ash, clean the roof
and gutter with water to prevent
corrosion.
3. Shake loose the ash from plants,
furniture, and windows before cleaning
them with water. Cover your nose while
cleaning.
4. Wait for further announcements
related to the volcanic eruption.
While we cannot stop volcanic eruptions, the
public, through informed action, can minimize
its adverse effects.
FACTS:
Volcanoes spew hot, dangerous gases, ash,
lava, and rock that are powerfully destructive.
People have died from volcanic blasts.
Volcanic eruptions can result in additional
threats to health, such as floods, mudslides,
power outages, drinking water contamination,
and wildfires.
Exposure to ash can be harmful. Infants,
elderly people, and people with respiratory
conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and
other chronic lung diseases may have
problems if they breathe in volcanic ash.
Most gases from a volcano quickly blow away.
However, heavy gases such as carbon dioxide
and hydrogen sulfide can collect in low-lying
areas. The most common volcanic gas is water
vapor, followed by carbon dioxide and sulfur
dioxide. Sulfur dioxide can cause breathing
problems in both healthy people and people
with asthma and other respiratory problems.
Although gases usually blow away rapidly, it is
possible that people who are close to the
volcano or who are in the low-lying areas
downwind may be exposed to levels that may
affect health.
VOLCANO
A volcano is an opening in the earth’s surface
that allows magma (hot liquid and semi-liquid
rock), volcanic ash and gases to escape. They
are generally found where tectonic plates
come together or separate, but they can also
occur in the middle of plates due to volcanic
hotspots. A volcanic eruption is when gas
and/or lava are released from a volcano—
sometimes explosively. Volcanoes provide a
number of environmental benefits, for
example: fertile soils, hydrothermal energy,
and precious minerals. But they also pose
several hazards: volcanic ash, gases, lahars
(mud flows), landslides, lava flows, and
pyroclastic flows (fast-moving currents of hot
gas). Volcanic eruptions can be deadly and
often cause population displacement and
food shortages.
 Bulusan
The six most
active volcanoes
in the Philippines
Mount Mayon

Taal Volcano

Mount Canlaon

Mount Pinatubo

Hibok-Hibok