Some Notes on False Alarms of Volcanic Activity and Mud Flows

Abstract

Reports on the observation of certain physical phenomena believed to be related to volcanic activity are often made, especially when an eruption of some magnitude has just occurred. Many reports are unfounded and born of peoples’ apprehension over volcanic eruptions. This chapter comments on the substance of such reports, and offers explanations for their misconceptions based on the writer’s Philippine experience. Mud flows or lahars are briefly discussed as these can be very destructive, and are constant sources of danger to those living in the vicinity of active volcanoes, e.g. the Mayon volcano in the Philippines.