Explosive Volcanic Eruptions Research Articles

Silicic volcanic rocks, a main regional source of geogenic arsenic in waters: Insights from the Altiplano-Puna plateau, Central Andes

Volcanic rocks are a common, worldwide source of geogenic arsenic (As) that can affect water quality detrimentally. Nonetheless, variations of As concentration within different types of volcanic rocks and questions related to the original source of As in magma are not yet fully understood. We compiled published As data from the abundant Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Altiplano-Puna plateau, considered the main source of As for waters in the region. These data indicates that volcanic rocks in the Altiplano-Puna have a mean As concentration of 9.1 mg/kg, which is almost 2 times higher than the upper continental crust. Arsenic increases within the more silicic compositions such as dacites and rhyolites as well as from mafic monogenetic volcanic edifices to stratovolcanoes of intermediate composition, silicic calderas and ignimbrite fields. The rate and composition of crustal assimilation by the magmas (enhanced by the crustal thickness up to >70 km) strongly influence the As concentration in volcanic rocks. The assimilation of argillaceous shale-type sediments represents the most important source of As in the magmas. The eruption dynamics has an enormous effect on As concentration. The higher the explosivity of an eruption, the higher the amount of ash that will be formed. Arsenic can be sorb onto ash particles so that fall deposits produced during explosive volcanic eruptions are prone to high As concentrations. Large volume ignimbrites formed after caldera collapses in the Altiplano-Puna are often the result of sustained explosive eruptions related to low, dense pyroclastic fountaining eruptions where highly concentrated pyroclastic density currents (PDC, flowing pyroclastic mixtures of particles and gas) are able to maintain high temperatures for long periods. Then As released from volatiles may remain for longer time in the emplacing PDC and can be sorbed onto ash particles, resulting in deposits with a higher As concentration. Post eruption hydrothermal alteration and sulfide mineralization produce As enrichment up to 100 times in the volcanic rocks (957 mg/kg) of the region, but can be very heterogeneous. Volcanism and its related products are the main source of As in the region. Once As is released from the volcanic sources, the semiarid climate, the occurrence of Na-HCO3 water types, and alkaline pH further enhance As concentrations in surface water and groundwater.

Authigenic beryllium isotopes reveal fluctuations in the East Asian monsoon over the past two millennia

Reconstructing climate variability beyond human records allows reconstruction of past and prediction of future climate change. However, a lack of high-resolution paleoclimate archives and effective climate proxies has hitherto limited reconstruction of the spatiotemporal evolution of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). In this study, the ratio of the meteoric cosmogenic 10Be (10Bemet) to silicate-weathered 9Be in annually laminated sediments from Maar Lake Xiaolongwan (NE China) was utilized to reconstruct EASM precipitation over the past two millennia. We find two apparent humid periods during the transitions of the Dark Age Cold Period–Medieval Climate Anomaly (DACP–MCA, ∼700 CE) and MCA–Little Ice Age (MCA–LIA, ∼1250 CE). The interval of these two humid periods is consistent with previous proposition of ∼500-yr oscillations of EASM in Northeast Asia. Although there are some phase variabilities, the pattern of temporal variation from 400 to 1600 CE are synchronous with other regional climate records from the EASM region. However, the spatial pattern shows an anti-phase synchronization between the EASM and the transition zone between the EASM and the Indian summer monsoon (ISM), revealing a “dry northeastern and wet southwestern” mode during the MCA. The climate change fluctuations derived here from 10Bemet/9Be in maar lake sediments are more straightforward than Chinese cave δ18O records and global temperature anomalies, providing a unique climate proxy for detecting variations of paleo-precipitation flux in specific regions. The overall slight weakening of EASM is consistent with a long-term cooling trend, which is likely regulated by solar irradiance. The apparent decrease of EASM during the transition from MCA to LIA is interpreted as the main control of explosive volcanic eruptions. The internal fluctuations and the spatiotemporal variability of precipitation are likely associated with the integrated effect of ISM and El Niño-Southern Oscillation.

Review of Pumice Raft Formation Environments, Saturation, and Dispersal Mechanisms

Pumice rafting events are a common result of volcanic eruptions occurring near or beneath bodies of water. Such events are frequently associated with hazards such as tsunamis, and drift pumice is known to cause local economic disruptions, damage ships, impede naval traffic, devastate marine populations, and distribute potentially invasive species over long distances. However, our current understanding of the mechanisms that drive the formation and dispersal of drift pumice are extremely limited. This article reviews historical and characteristic pumice raft-forming eruptions, how interactions with water factor into macro- and micro-scale controls on pumice clast formation and dispersal, and current methods for detection and analysis to better track and mitigate hazards associated with explosive volcanic eruptions and pumice rafts.

Ash aggregation processes in a basaltic tuff ring (Songaksan, Jeju Island, Korea): Controls of diatreme conditions and transport processes

Aggregation of ash generated by explosive volcanic eruptions controls the dispersal and residence time of ash in the atmosphere and, therefore, the hazard to aviation. Ash aggregation is particularly common in hydromagmatic volcanoes produced by explosive magma-water interactions. Nevertheless, few studies have been done on this process because of the lower risk of volcanic hazards posed by these volcanoes in comparison to classical stratovolcanoes. Observations of the microscopic textures of the tuff samples from a Holocene tuff ring in Jeju Island, Korea, show that the ash particles occur mainly in the form of coated particles and ash lumps, which are either rich or poor in clay minerals derived from the substrate. The clay-rich aggregates formed in the diatreme by cohesive and capillary bonding of clay-rich and water-undersaturated debris. When the diatreme was filled with clay-poor and water-saturated debris, particles were ejected mainly without ash coats and aggregation. Once emitted from the diatreme, the aggregates and uncoated/solitary particles could be further aggregated together or accreted on larger particles by liquid bonding, producing clay-poor aggregates, multiple-coated particles, and composite ash lumps. The ash aggregation occurred mainly in co-surge ash clouds and ash plumes but not in pyroclastic surges, in which the time available for ash aggregation was too short (a few tens of seconds or less). This study demonstrates that the substrate characteristics and environmental factors that can influence the material properties of the diatreme fill, such as the clay mineral and water contents, are the prime controls of ash aggregation in hydromagmatic volcanoes.

Reconstructing volcanic radiative forcing since 1990, using a comprehensive emission inventory and spatially resolved sulfur injections from satellite data in a chemistry-climate model

Abstract. This paper presents model simulations of stratospheric aerosols with a focus on explosive volcanic eruptions. Using various (occultation and limb-based) satellite instruments, providing vertical profiles of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and aerosol extinction, we characterized the chemical and radiative influence of volcanic aerosols for the period between 1990 and 2019. We established an improved and extended volcanic SO2 emission inventory that includes more than 500 explosive volcanic eruptions reaching the upper troposphere and the stratosphere. Each perturbation identified was derived from the satellite data and incorporated as a three-dimensional SO2 plume into a chemistry-climate model without the need for additional assumptions about altitude distribution and eruption duration as needed for a “point source” approach. The simultaneous measurements of SO2 and aerosol extinction by up to four satellite instruments enabled a reliable conversion of extinction measurements into injected SO2. In the chemistry-climate model, the SO2 from each individual plume was converted into aerosol particles and their optical properties were determined. Furthermore, the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and the instantaneous radiative forcing on climate were calculated online. Combined with model improvements, the results of the simulations are consistent with the observations of the various satellites. Slight deviations between the observations and model simulations were found for the large volcanic eruption of Pinatubo in 1991 and cases where simultaneous satellite observations were not unique or too sparse. Weak- and medium-strength volcanic eruptions captured in satellite data and the Smithsonian database typically inject about 10 to 50 kt SO2 directly into the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UTLS) region or the sulfur species are transported via convection and advection. Our results confirm that these relatively minor eruptions, which occur quite frequently, can nevertheless contribute to the stratospheric aerosol layer and are relevant for the Earth's radiation budget. These minor eruptions cause a total global instantaneous radiative forcing of the order of −0.1 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) compared to a background stratospheric aerosol forcing of about −0.04 W m−2. Medium-strength eruptions injecting about 400 kt SO2 into the stratosphere or accumulation of consecutive smaller eruptions can lead to a total instantaneous forcing of about −0.3 W m−2. We show that it is critical to include the contribution of the extratropical lowermost stratospheric aerosol in the forcing calculations.

Investigations on the Global Spread of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Volcanic Eruption Using Space-Based Observations and Lagrangian Transport Simulations

On 15 January 2022, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) (175.38° W, 20.54° S) volcano erupted explosively. It is considered the most explosive volcanic eruption during the past 140 years. The HTHH volcanic eruption caused intense ripples, Lamb waves, and gravity waves in the atmosphere which encircled the globe several times, as reported by different studies. In this study, using OMI, SAGE-III/ISS, and CALIPSO satellite observations, we investigated the spread of the volcanic SO2 cloud due to the HTHH eruption and subsequent formation of sulfuric acid clouds in the stratosphere. It took about 19–21 days for the stratospheric SO2 injections of the HTHH to encircle the globe longitudinally due to a dominant westward jet with wind speeds of ~2500 km/day, and it slowly dispersed over the whole globe within several months due to poleward spread. The formation of sulfuric acid clouds intensified after about a month, causing the more frequent occurrence of high aerosol optical depth elevated layers in the stratosphere at an altitude of about 20–26 km. This study deals with the dynamics of volcanic plume spread in the stratosphere, knowledge of which is essential in estimating the accurate radiative effects caused by perturbations in the earth–atmosphere system due to a volcanic eruption. In addition, this knowledge provides important input for studies related to the geo-engineering of the earth’s atmosphere by injecting particulates and gases into the stratosphere.

Origin, transport, and diagenesis of tuffs in organic-rich lacustrine mudstone: An example from the lower part of the Middle–Late Triassic Chang7 Member, Ordos Basin (NW China)

Tuffs, produced by explosive volcanic eruptions, are widely deposited throughout the Precambrian to Cenozoic stratigraphic record. Due to rapid compaction and erosion, preservation and identification of tuffs in distal environments are challenging. However, in deep lacustrine environments, tuffs may be found well-preserved as interlayers in the organic-rich mudstone. This in turn provides valuable insights into the origin, transport, and diagenesis of volcanic material. In this study, we performed an integrated sedimentological, mineralogical, and geochemical analysis of seven tuff samples collected from the lower part of the Chang7 member of the Maquan section to infer on their provenance, transport mechanisms and post-depositional alterations. Immobile element ratios, tectonic discrimination diagrams, trace element distribution patterns, and negative whole-rock εNd(t) reveal an intermediate to felsic continental arc source of the studied tuff. Supported frameworks and ash aggregates in the tuff are in favor of the transport from pyroclastic density currents and ash plumes during multiple volcanic eruptions with various degrees of eruption volume and water content. Tuff diagenesis is characterized by dissolution of plagioclase, illitization of smectite, cementation of carbonate minerals, and presence of buddingtonite. Relatively ordered illite-smectite and low vitrinite reflectance from the adjacent organic-rich mudstone indicate diagenetic evolution of studied tuff have reached mesogenetic stage.

Long-term ash dispersal dataset of the Sakurajima Taisho eruption for ashfall disaster countermeasure

Abstract. A large volcanic eruption can generate large amounts of ash which affect the socio-economic activities of surrounding areas, affecting airline transportation, socio-economics activities, and human health. Accumulated ashfall has devastating impacts on areas surrounding the volcano and in other regions, and eruption scale and weather conditions may escalate ashfall hazards to wider areas. It is crucial to discover places with a high probability of exposure to ashfall deposition. Here, as a reference for ashfall disaster countermeasures, we present a dataset containing the estimated distributions of the ashfall deposit and airborne ash concentration, obtained from a simulation of ash dispersal following a large-scale explosive volcanic eruption. We selected the Taisho (1914) eruption of the Sakurajima volcano, as our case study. This was the strongest eruption in Japan in the last century, and our study provides a baseline for a worst-case scenario. We employed one eruption scenario (OES) approach by replicating the actual event under various extended weather conditions to show how it would affect contemporary Japan. We generated an ash dispersal dataset by simulating the ash transport of the Taisho eruption scenario using a volcanic ash dispersal model and meteorological reanalysis data for 64 years (1958–2021). We explain the dataset production and provide the dataset in multiple formats for broader audiences. We examine the validity of the dataset, its limitations, and its uncertainties. Countermeasure strategies can be derived from this dataset to reduce ashfall risk. The dataset is available at the DesignSafe-CI Data Depot: https://www.designsafe-ci.org/data/browser/public/designsafe.storage.published/PRJ-2848v2 or through the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.17603/ds2-vw5f-t920 by selecting Version 2 (Rahadianto and Tatano, 2020).

The January 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano reached the mesosphere.

Explosive volcanic eruptions can loft ash, gases, and water into the stratosphere, which affects both human activities and the climate. Using geostationary satellite images of the 15 January 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, we find that the volcanic plume produced by this volcano reached an altitude of 57 kilometers at its highest extent. This places the plume in the lower mesosphere and provides observational evidence of a volcanic eruption injecting material through the stratosphere and directly into the mesosphere. We then discuss potential implications of this injection and suggest that the altitude reached by plumes from previous eruptions, such as the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, may have been underestimated because of a lack of observational data.

Geosite determination based on geodiversity assessment utilizing the volcanic history of a near-sea-level explosive eruption-dominated volcanic island: Tūhua/Mayor Island, New Zealand

Abstract Tūhua/Mayor Island is located approximately 45 km off the NE coast of the North Island of New Zealand. This island was formed by various explosive and effusive volcanic eruptions commonly influenced by magma–water interaction eruption events occurring since the Pleistocene. The wider area of the SW Pacific contains numerous volcanic islands with a similar type of volcanic evolution. Tūhua/Mayor Island should be studied in more detail to understand the underlying volcanic mechanisms and apply this research to other volcanic islands in the SW Pacific. Mayor Island, also known by its indigenous Māori name Tūhua (obsidian in Māori), provides an ideal site for studying current volcanism. The present day island was formed around 150 ka ago and contains several rhyolitic lava-flows from different time periods, pyroclastic-flow deposits generated by small-volume localized eruptions and ignimbrite deposited by large explosive eruptions. Our research utilized a qualitative–quantitative assessment of geodiversity estimates to highlight possible geosites for the collection of precise information about the geological evolution of this area, demonstrating the potential of geoeducational sites. The term geodiversity recognizes geological and geomorphological elements, which have shaped the Earth's surface and underly our abiotic environment. Additionally, volcanic heritage was included in our equation, specifically tailored for Tūhua/Mayor Island and based on expert views (qualitative model). This model allows for a wider diversity for the area of research compared with the original method, which utilized only geological elements. The results show that areas with pyroclastic deposits exposed on the cliffs and in the centre of the collapse caldera should be considered for the further study for geosite planning.

Long range infrasound monitoring of Yasur volcano

The atmospheric injection of gas and material produced by an explosive volcanic eruption determines a rapid compression of the atmosphere, which subsequently propagates as longitudinal elastic waves (sound). The size of the source, generally greater than tens of meters, and its duration, longer than a few seconds, result into an emitted signal that is particularly rich in low frequencies (f < 20 Hz), thus determining an efficient infrasound radiation. Thanks to the low spectral content and the reduced attenuation in the atmosphere, infrasound is capable of propagating for very large distances.In this study we show how the infrasonic monitoring at regional distances (> 100 km) is efficient in recording and characterizing volcanic events. For the purpose of our study, infrasound signal radiated from Yasur volcano (Tanna Island, Vanuatu) was studied for a period of twelve years (January 2008 – December 2019). Signals from Yasur were registered at a source-to-receiver distance of 400 km by the IS22 infrasound array, located in New Caledonia, part of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) International Monitoring System (IMS). The predominantly explosive Strombolian activity of this volcano makes it a perfect subject to be studied by infrasound technology. Detections of volcanic infrasound are modulated according to the seasonal variation of stratospheric winds and corrected for attenuation accounting for real atmospheric specification between the source and the receiver to retrieve the pressure at the source. Next, they are used to evaluate long-term (yearly) and short term (hourly) variations of activity over the period of analysis. Results are compared with thermal anomalies recorded by the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) installed on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites.We show that even at regional distances (400 km) it is possible to follow the long term (yearly) fluctuations of ordinary explosive activity during periods of optimal propagation of infrasonic waves in the atmosphere. In addition, we show that the time resolution retrieved from the signal analysis allows to follow variations of volcanic activity at hourly time scale, thus representing a valuable source of information, in particular in areas where local geophysical observations are missing.

Algorithm theoretical basis for ozone and sulfur dioxide retrievals from DSCOVR EPIC

Abstract. On board the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), the first Earth-observing satellite at the L1 point (the first Lagrangian point in the Earth–Sun system), the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) continuously observes the entire sunlit face of the Earth. EPIC measures the solar backscattered and reflected radiances in 10 discrete spectral channels, four of which are in the ultraviolet (UV) range. These UV bands are selected primarily for total ozone (O3) and aerosol retrievals based on heritage algorithms developed for the series of Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometers (TOMS). These UV measurements also provide sensitive detection of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and volcanic ash, both of which may be episodically injected into the atmosphere during explosive volcanic eruptions. This paper presents the theoretical basis and mathematical procedures for the direct vertical column fitting (DVCF) algorithm used for retrieving total vertical columns of O3 and SO2 from DSCOVR EPIC. This paper describes algorithm advances, including an improved O3 profile representation that enables profile adjustments from multiple spectral measurements and the spatial optimal estimation (SOE) scheme that reduces O3 artifacts resulting from EPIC's band-to-band misregistrations. Furthermore, this paper discusses detailed error analyses and presents intercomparisons with correlative data to validate O3 and SO2 retrievals from EPIC.

Clear-sky control of anvils in response to increased CO2 or surface warming or volcanic eruptions

Anvil clouds produced by deep convection cover extensive areas of the tropics, and their response to external perturbations matters for the Earth’s climate sensitivity. It has been suggested that variations in the height and spatial extent of these clouds can be understood from basic physical arguments related to the conservation of mass and energy in the clear-sky areas of the tropics. Based on satellite observations, meteorological reanalyses, and climate model simulations, we show that these arguments can be used to interpret the response of anvil cloud fraction to a range of perturbations in the current climate and under climate change. This includes the response to interannual and long-term surface temperature changes, to the direct effect of carbon dioxide, and the decrease of anvil cloud fraction after explosive volcanic eruptions. Therefore, the control of tropical anvils by clear-sky radiative cooling and static stability in the upper troposphere can explain a large diversity of the responses of anvil cloud fraction to natural and anthropogenic perturbations. These findings should also be considered when assessing the impacts of geo-engineering techniques.

Global shockwaves of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption measured at ground stations

The eruption of the Tonga volcano created globally propagating spherical shockwaves in the atmosphere. Analyses are done to data from two southern U.S. stations of the author sampling at 3-21s intervals and 189 weather stations at 1-5min intervals. The shockwaves arrived from two routes in the atmosphere: the shortest spherical arc and the longer spherical arc through the antipole. In most stations, signals up to the 6th path of shockwaves were recorded as the waves traveled around the globe multiple times. The speed of shockwaves is estimated to be 309.5± 2.9m/s, consistent with the speed of sound at the top of the troposphere where a waveguide exists. Discussion is made on the post-shockwave ringing of 4-8min as higher amplitude oscillations above the level of pre-shockwaves background noise. A theoretical wave dispersion is derived which verifies that the spherical shockwave's phase speed is the same as the speed of sound.

Dispersion of arsenic species from highly explosive historical volcanic eruptions in Patagonia

Andean volcanic rocks typically have low to moderate arsenic (As) concentrations. However, elevated levels of As in groundwaters of southern South America have been reported as a consequence of weathering of volcanic glass. This study discusses the abundance, speciation and dispersion of As species in fresh volcanic ash from highly explosive (Volcanic Explosivity Index: 4–5) Patagonian eruptions, as well as the potential of As release to aqueous reservoirs. Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption and micro-focused X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies were used to evaluate As solid speciation. Batch experiments at different pH conditions were performed with the aim of understanding the controls on As release to aqueous reservoirs. Bulk chemical and mineralogical characterizations were performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy. Finally, to understand how As-bearing phases are spatially distributed after eruptions, simulations of volcanic ash emission, transport and deposition were performed.Results indicate that the concentration, speciation, and mobility of As in fresh Patagonian volcanic ash depend on the silica content of source magmas. Although the main As host in volcanic ash is Al-silicate glass, this phase is stable at neutral pH characteristic of most aqueous reservoirs. Higher contributions of As to water are associated with the more mobile As species that concentrate onto the surface of Al-silicate glass. Atmospheric dispersion simulations revealed that primary fallout of As-bearing ash has affected large areas in Patagonia, but also reached the Chaco-Pampean plain, where the presence of As-rich groundwater has been widely documented.

Experimental delineation of gas-particle coupling regimes in explosive volcanic eruptions

The kinematic and thermal coupling between pyroclasts and gas is one of the main controlling factors in the dynamics of explosive volcanic eruptions. Here, we performed rapid decompression experiments in a shock-tube apparatus at eruptive pressures (2–11 MPa) using monodisperse volcanic particles (grain-size 0.063–1.4 mm). We systematically investigated the coupling of these particles with the gas phase by measuring the rarefaction speed and the ejection velocity of the particles front in each experiment. The results are consistent with a theoretical model derived from the pseudogas approximation (i.e. perfect coupling) only for particles smaller than a certain size: ∼ 0.125 mm for rarefaction speed and ∼ 0.5 mm for the particles front ejection velocity, whereas larger particles are significantly decoupled. We present an experimental parameterization to calculate the kinematic Stokes number (Stk). We show that: 1) for the ejection process the particles are coupled with the gas if Stk < 1, whereas for the rarefaction speed the particles are fully coupled when Stk < 0.2; 2) for the rarefaction speed there is a transition when 0.2 < Stk < 1; and 3) in both processes particles are decoupled when Stk > 1. Furthermore, where the Reynolds number based on the relative velocity between gas and particles (Rep) is larger than 103, the ratio between the timescales required for thermal and kinematic equilibration increases with Rep, such that some particles are coupled with the gas but decoupled from it thermally. These findings represent the first experimental delineation of kinematic and thermal coupling regimes between volcanic particles and gas and contribute thereby to a more robust basis for multiphase explosive eruptive models.

Tropical volcanoes synchronize eastern Canada with Northern Hemisphere millennial temperature variability

Although global and Northern Hemisphere temperature reconstructions are coherent with climate model simulations over the last millennium, reconstructed temperatures tend to diverge from simulations at smaller spatial scales. Yet, it remains unclear to what extent these regional peculiarities reflect region-specific internal climate variability or inadequate proxy coverage and quality. Here, we present a high-quality, millennial-long summer temperature reconstruction for northeastern North America, based on maximum latewood density, the most temperature-sensitive tree-ring proxy. Our reconstruction shows that a large majority (31 out of 44) of the coldest extremes can be attributed to explosive volcanic eruptions, with more persistent cooling following large tropical than extratropical events. These forced climate variations synchronize regional summer temperatures with hemispheric reconstructions and simulations at the multidecadal time scale. Our study highlights that tropical volcanism is the major driver of multidecadal temperature variations across spatial scales.

Behavior of volcanic ash–soil mixtures under one-dimensional compression testing

Volcanic ashes (VA) are one of the by-products of explosive volcanic eruptions. They can be used as a soil stabilizer due to their cementitious properties as an eco-friendly soil stabilization approach. In this study, the impact of VA as an additive material (up to 20%) was investigated on the behavior of a clayey soil under one-dimensional compression tests and uniaxial compression tests. To this aim, the VA percentage effect, curing conditions, i.e. the optimum moisture content (OMC) and saturated sample, and curing time, on the oedometer modulus, and the uniaxial compression strength (UCS) are investigated. Results show that the addition of VA increases the UCS continuously in saturated conditions. However, this improvement is considerable for 5% additional VA at the OMC state and it induces 325% improvement in UCS. The maximum improvement of UCS occurs at 20% addition of VA in saturated condition. It was also revealed that VA-soil mixtures are more sustainable at low stress levels and the oedometer modulus increases with the VA addition. A long-term curing time leads to an increase of the fabricated bonds due to the pozzolanic reaction. Additional VA has no significant effect on the consolidation parameters specifically for short-term curing time.

Challenges and Opportunities for Risk Management of Volcanic Hazards in Small-Island Developing States

The explosive volcanic eruptions of La Soufrière volcano, St Vincent and the Grenadines, in April 2021 caused the displacement of thousands of people, resulting in heavy disruption of livelihoods and economic activities, destruction of critical infrastructure, and volcanic ash deposits that affected the entire mountainous island of St Vincent and the neighboring island of Barbados. The resulting triple crisis in the region included volcanological risks, the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, and hydrometeorological risks due to the approaching hurricane season. This article analyzes the scientific and operational activities that The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre undertook after effusive activity was detected in December 2020, as well as the actions taken during an official response mission of the United Nations, led by the Joint Environment Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva and upon request for international environmental assistance from the Government of St Vincent. It examines the interplay and collaboration between these 2 organizations and other disaster risk reduction agencies. The article also highlights how the interconnected, systemic nature of risks and disasters emphasizes the ultimate need for regional coordination and collaboration across sectors, including scientific monitoring networks; national, regional, and international emergency preparedness and response agencies; academia; and the private sector. The presented case study for elucidating the ongoing lahar hazard at La Soufrière volcano supports a long-term view for planning and mitigation in this challenging topography. This will help to ensure that the volcanic risks in the Caribbean region are appropriately considered a major component of the multihazard approach undertaken by national authorities and scientists to manage community safety and sustainable economic development through adequate means of disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness.

IR-Thermography as a non-destructive tool to derive indirect information on the physical-mechanical behaviour of alkali activated materials

A combination of conventional and un-conventional methods is here used to assess the physical-mechanical properties of some alkaline activated pastes and mortars. The latter were purposely synthetized by using Etna ashes as precursor, whose suitability in the alkaline activation process has been ascertained by previous studies. Additionally, the potential reuse of the huge quantities of pyroclastic deposits released into the atmosphere during explosive volcanic eruptions represents an ambitious challenge for the local communities, other than being part of the “Ecological transition” topic promoted by the European Community. The physical-mechanical characterization of the experimental materials has been carried out by using: capillary water absorption test, infrared thermography (IRT), accelerated ageing test by salt mist, uniaxial compressive strength and drilling resistance test. The data obtained for pastes and mortars have been compared to each other and also with traditional materials commonly used in the building sector. The experimental results displayed a strong correlation between the rate of heat dispersion and the microstructure of the samples. In detail, the pastes show a more compact structure than mortars, which is responsible for a slower heat release and a lower capillary water absorption rate, as well as a better mechanical performance. IRT, used for the first time on these materials, revealed a high potential in providing feedback on other physical-mechanical features of alkali activated materials, commonly derived by using destructive methods.