Technical-Information Products 

for a National Volcano Early 

Warning System 

By Marianne Guffanti, Steven R. Brantley, Peter F. Cervelli, Christopher J. Nye, 

George N. Serafino, Lee Siebert, Dina Y. Venezky, and Lisa Wald 

2007 

Open File Report 2007–1250 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 
U.S. Department of the Interior 

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Mark D. Myers, Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2007 

For product and ordering information: 

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS 

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its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: 

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov

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Suggested citation 

Guffanti, M., Brantley, S. R., Cervelli, P. F., Nye, C. J., Serafino, G. N., Siebert, L., Venezky, D. Y., 

and Wald, L., 2007, Technical-information products for a National Volcano Early Warning 

System: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 2007-1250, 23p. 

[http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1250]. 

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. 

ii
Contents 

Introduction....................................................................................................... 4 

Current State of Volcanological Technical-Information Products ............................................ 5 

 Alerts of Current Volcanic Activity ................................................................................ 5 

 Hazard-Assessment Reports...................................................................................... 6 

 Response Plans........................................................................................................................... 6 

 Topical Hazard Guidance....................................................................... ............. 6 

 Research Results................................................................................ ............ 6 

Types of Users of NVEWS Technical-Information Products ..................................... ............. 7 

Guidelines for NVEWS Technical-Information Products ...................................................... 8 

Recommended NVEWS Web-Based Products and Functionalities............................ .............. 9 

 Alerts and Notifications of Volcanic Activity ................................................. ............. 9 

 Map-based Hazard Information..............................................................................10 

 Access to Published Articles, Assessments, and Reports............................... ................10 

 Digital Imagery.............................................................................................11 

 Summary Texts.................................................................................... ........11 

 Interactive and Background Resources...................................................... ............11 

Implementation..................................................................................................12 

 Databases........................................................................................... .....12 

 Website.............................................................................................. .....12 

 Operational Issues........................................................................................13 

Discussion ........................................................................................................................................................13 

References Cited.............................................................................................................................................14 

Tables

1. Recommended web-based technical-information products and functionalities for a National 

Volcano Early Warning System.......................................................................................................15 

Appendices

1. Published Volcano-Hazard Assessments for U.S. Volcanoes ...........................................................16 

2. Interagency Response Plans for Volcanic Activity..............................................................................21 

3. List of Database Fields Used in Constructing Volcanic Activity Notices ........................................22 

iii
Technical-Information Products for a 

National Volcano Early Warning System 

By Marianne Guffanti,1 Steven R. Brantley2, Peter F. Cervelli3, Christopher J. Nye4, 

George N. Serafino5, Lee Siebert6, Dina Y. Venezky7, and Lisa Wald8

1

 U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 

2

 U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaii 

3

 U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Anchorage, Alaska 

4

 Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska 

5

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Camp Springs, Maryland 

6

 Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. 

7

 U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 

8

 U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, Colorado 

Introduction 

Technical outreach – distinct from general-interest and K-12 educational outreach – for volcanic 

hazards is aimed at providing usable scientific information about potential or ongoing volcanic 

activity to public officials, businesses, and individuals in support of their response, preparedness, 

and mitigation efforts. Within the context of a National Volcano Early Warning System 

(NVEWS) (Ewert et al., 2005), technical outreach is a critical process, transferring the benefits 

of enhanced monitoring and hazards research to key constituents who have to initiate actions or 

make policy decisions to lessen the hazardous impact of volcanic activity. 

 

4
This report discusses recommendations of the Technical-Information Products Working Group 

convened in 2006 as part of the NVEWS planning process. The basic charge to the Working 

Group was to identify a web-based, volcanological “product line” for NVEWS to meet the 

specific hazard-information needs of technical users. Members of the Working Group were: 

Marianne Guffanti (Chair), USGS, Reston VA 

Steve Brantley, USGS, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory HI 

Peter Cervelli, USGS, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Anchorage AK 

Chris Nye, Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and Alaska Volcano 

Observatory, Fairbanks AK 

George Serafino, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Camp Springs MD 

Lee Siebert, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. 

Dina Venezky, USGS, Volcano Hazards Team, Menlo Park CA 

Lisa Wald, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Golden CO 

Current State of Volcanological Technical-Information Products 

Under the Stafford Act (Public Law 93-288), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has the federal 

responsibility to issue timely warnings of potential volcanic hazards to the affected populace and 

civil authorities. Such warnings are based on data and observations collected by the five U.S. 

Volcano Observatories (Alaska, Cascades, Hawaiian, Long Valley, and Yellowstone) which are 

supported by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program (VHP) in partnership with academic 

institutions and other government agencies. 

The NVEWS product line recommended in this report builds on the various technicalinformation products that have been developed and used by the VHP and its partners over the 

past three decades. The main types of volcanological technical-information products currently 

available are: 

Alerts of Current Volcanic Activity (short-term): Notices and status reports of the level of 

activity at monitored volcanoes are issued daily to monthly by the five Volcano 

Observatories and distributed to interested parties by email, fax, and RSS feed and also are 

posted on web sites (http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/vhpstatus.php). Examples of monitoring 

data collected by the Volcano Observatories to track volcanic activity (seismograms, 

earthquake-location maps, graphs of ground deformation, remote-sensing images, webcam 

images, etc.) also are provided via Observatory and partner websites, along with explanatory 

captions. 

The VHP recently adopted a common system nationwide for characterizing the level of 

unrest and eruptive activity at volcanoes, to replace three separate systems previously used 

by the Volcano Observatories. Under the common system, an Observatory ranks the level of 

activity at a U.S. volcano using the terms "Normal" for typical volcanic activity in a quiet or 

“background” state; "Advisory" for elevated unrest; "Watch" for escalating unrest or a minor 

eruption underway that poses limited hazards; and "Warning" if a highly hazardous eruption 

is underway or imminent. When an alert level is assigned by an Observatory, accompanying 

text gives a fuller explanation of the observed phenomena and clarifies hazard implications to 

affected groups. As part of the alert-level system, color codes (Green, Yellow, Orange, and 

Red) are used to provide succinct information about volcanic-ash hazards to the aviation 

5
sector. The color codes are in accordance with recommended procedures established by the 

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to prevent aircraft from flying through ashcontaminated airspace. The alert levels and color codes are described further by (Gardner 

and Guffanti, 2006; online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139).

For a global overview of recent volcanic activity, the VHP collaborates with the Smithsonian 

Institution’s Global Volcanism Program to produce the online Weekly Volcanic Activity 

Report (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/). 

Hazard-Assessment Reports (long-term): A volcano-hazard assessment report is a 

publication, typically including a hazard-zonation map, that summarizes the type and 

likelihood of future hazardous phenomena expected to occur at a given volcano or volcanic 

region over the long term (decades to centuries). Such assessments are based on geologic 

evidence of the magnitudes, styles, and frequencies of previous volcanic activity. The target 

audience for these reports includes land managers, emergency-management officials, and atrisk property owners. Volcano-hazard assessments usually are published as USGS Open-File 

Reports or, in Alaska for the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), as Department of Natural 

Resources Reports of Investigations. Assessments are updated and modified as needed when 

new data are acquired or scientific understanding improves. A bibliography of published 

hazard-assessment reports listing the most recent report for any given U.S. volcano is given in 

Appendix 1. As of September 2007, hazard-assessment reports for 33 U.S. volcanoes have 

been published for 16 Alaskan volcanoes, 10 volcanoes in the Washington and Oregon 

Cascades, 4 volcanoes in California, 2 in Hawaii, and 1 in Wyoming. In addition, various 

regional (multi-volcano), state-wide, and multi-state assessments have been prepared. 

Response Plans: Interagency volcano-response plans define the responsibilities and actions 

of various government agencies in dealing with a restless or active volcano. An agency 

involved in the plan also may prepare its own internal plan for action in concert with the 

interagency plan. Response plans typically are updated on a regular schedule to keep current 

with agency changes. Plans exist for five Cascade Range volcanoes and for volcanic-ash 

hazards to aviation from volcanoes in Alaska and the Commonwealth of the Northern 

Marianas Islands. The first national-level volcanic-ash operating plan for aviation, involving 

the USGS, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA), and Air Force Weather Agency, was completed in 2007. A list of 

interagency volcano response plans developed as of September 2007 is given in Appendix 2. 

Topical Hazard Guidance: Various means are used to present topical hazard information, 

including web pages (for example, http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash), training videos, and fact 

sheets (http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/volcinfo/factsheets.php). 

Research Results: Published research papers and geologic maps of volcanic centers 

document the scientific findings that provide the foundation for credible forecasts and 

assessments of volcanic behavior and for additional research investigations. Bibliographies 

of scientific publications since 1994 resulting from work funded by the VHP are online at 

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/sproducts.html. 

The VHP provides substantial information about volcanic activity and hazards online. Each of 

the five U.S. Volcano Observatories maintains a website to present hazard information to both 

6
the general public and more technical users. The websites have distinct regional perspectives 

and focus on the information needs and interests of their local communities. 

The Observatory websites are: 

Alaska Volcano Observatory – http://www.avo.alaska.edu/ 

Cascades Volcano Observatory – http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/ 

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory – http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/ 

Long Valley Observatory – http://lvo.wr.usgs.gov/ 

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory – http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/ 

The VHP also maintains a program website (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov) for the purpose of 

presenting information that is common to or spans all the observatories (for example, 

background information on types of monitoring techniques, the weekly worldwide volcanic 

activity report, guidance on dealing with ash hazards). 

An important source of volcano information is the website of the Smithsonian Institution’s 

Global Volcanism Program (http://www.volcano.si.edu/), which offers both a contemporary and 

retrospective look at Earth’s volcanoes. A section on “Volcano Activity Reports” includes brief 

weekly summaries on current activity and unrest around the globe (compiled in collaboration 

with the USGS VHP) and more extensive monthly reports that incorporate images, graphics and 

monitoring data. A section on “Volcanoes of the World” features data on the world’s known and 

inferred Holocene volcanoes, including eruption chronologies, characteristics, and magnitudes. 

The website includes images of most of the world’s volcanoes. 

Types of Users of NVEWS Technical-Information Products 

Volcanoes produce different kinds of hazardous phenomena with effects on people and 

infrastructure that mimic those of floods, fires, explosions, landslides, toxic chemical releases, 

atmospheric pollution, and severe storms. Moreover, many volcanoes are located on various 

types of federal lands (especially National Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Refuges). As a result, the 

target audience for users of NVEWS technical-information products comprises a diverse group 

that includes: 

Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center 

Dept. of Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard units 

Dept. of Defense/U.S. TRANSCOM, U.S. SOUTHCOM, U.S. NORTHCOM 

Operators of specific U.S. military bases 

Technical staff of the Air Force Weather Agency/Satellite Applications Branch 

Department of Interior Watch Office 

Analysts of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency 

Technical staff of the Environmental Protection Agency 

Technical staff of the Army Corp of Engineers 

Air-traffic controllers of the Federal Aviation Administration 

Meteorologists of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Supervisors and staff of specific National Parks 

 Supervisors and staff of specific National Forests 

Refuge managers of the Fish and Wildlife Service 

7
 Native American and Native Alaskan land-owners 

Governor’s Offices 

State Emergency Management Departments 

State Geologists 

Staff of State and local transportation departments 

County/Borough Emergency Response Divisions 

Commercial transportation entities 

Airline pilots, dispatchers, and meteorologists 

Airport managers 

Electric power suppliers and distributors 

 Local public safety units (police, fire, etc.) 

Local offices and regional distribution centers of the U.S. Postal Service 

 School districts 

Individual households and businesses 

Travelers within the US and to other volcanic countries 

Scientific researchers 

Guidelines for NVEWS Technical-Information Products 

The Working Group identified six overall guidelines for NVEWS technical-information products 

and related functionalities: 

• An NVEWS web-based product line should provide a synoptic, national-scale view of U.S. 

volcanic activity, organizing hazard information in such a way as to make it easier to find 

across Volcano Observatory lines. Some users of technical information are concerned about 

one or a few volcano(es) in a specific forest, park, county, or state, and such users primarily 

will interact directly with staff at a particular Observatory and refer almost exclusively to its 

website. But other users look for information topically or follow volcanic activity across 

Observatory lines, and these users would benefit from organization of hazard information on 

a national scale. An example of such users is the aviation sector, which regularly seeks and 

uses online information to ascertain the status of numerous volcanoes at any given time for 

planning and executing flights over regions that pose volcanic-ash cloud hazards to aircraft. 

• Displays of current monitoring data should be available for every monitored volcano, to the 

extent possible without posting misleading or inaccurate information (for example, 

automatically generated map plots of earthquake locations can be problematical owing to the 

inability of computers to correctly recognize subtle seismic signals at some volcanoes). 

• The online NVEWS presence should be a web space within the USGS VHP website, using 

links as needed to Observatory web pages. Although the Observatory websites would retain 

their individual characters, some similarity among them is necessary in how certain key 

information products are organized and presented on them. 

• Now that a common alert-level system has been adopted for use by all the Observatories, the 

alert notices themselves should have a common format used by all the Observatories. 

8
• Hazard data on U.S. volcanism should be stored in a common database(s) so that products 

readily can be generated dynamically from the contents of the database(s). 

• Information should be disseminated in a manner that is user defined and thus allows 

recipients to choose the type and frequency of products they receive. 

Recommended NVEWS Web-Based Products and Functionalities 

With these guidelines in mind, the Working Groups recommended a suite of NVEWS web-based 

technical products and functionalities, described below and summarized in Table 1. 

Alerts and Notifications of Volcanic Activity

(1) (A) A Volcanic Activity Notice (VAN) for reporting changes in alert levels and 

aviation color codes, with a common format used by all the U.S. Volcano 

Observatories. The process of producing VAN can be streamlined by a single 

computerized system that guides observatory staff to enter the necessary information into 

the fields of an underlying database that is common to all the Observatories. The system 

then automatically generates the various desired output such as the VAN, a version 

formatted in the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) for an RSS feed, a customized message 

for airlines and other aviation users (a Volcano Observatory Notification for Aviation, 

VONA, as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization), etc. A list of 

the database fields needed to construct a VAN is given in Appendix 3. An automated 

numbering system will have to be developed to give every VAN a unique identifier. In 

addition to issuing VAN, which are event-driven messages used to highlight significant 

changes in the behavior of volcanoes, Observatories would continue to produce time-driven

(daily or weekly) updates along with information releases about notable miscellaneous 

events. 

(B) A single archive of VAN and related VONA and daily or weekly updates, with 

filtering by volcano, region, and date. A series of drop-down menus would allow the 

user to search the archive database. 

(C) A standardized timeline of alert level and aviation color code changes for each 

monitored volcano, with a filter for date. With all VAN archived in a common database, 

this product could be generated dynamically by user query. 

(2) A Volcanic Notification Service (VNS) similar to the Earthquake Hazard Program’s 

“Earthquake Notification Service” (ENS). A VNS would allow individuals to select the 

types and geographic area of notices they receive by email or RSS feed. Subscription to 

the VNS should be offered on the same page as the ENS 

(http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/ens/) with a link on the VHP site directing subscribers 

to that page. 

Map-Based Hazard Information

9
(3) (A) A synoptic, web-based, status map of all U.S. volcanoes showing alert levels and 

aviation color codes. The map should be updated automatically every few minutes, have 

zoom-in capability, provide user-specified filters by region, alert level, etc., and give links 

to fuller information on Observatory sites. 

(B) Clear paths to current monitoring-data displays for specific volcanoes on the 

synoptic status map. For example, a link to "X Volcano Page" on an Observatory site 

would convey the level of volcanic threat in concert with the delivery of real-time 

information about the situation. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory web site offers a 

good example of how real-time monitoring data can be made available online 

(http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/monitoring.html). 

(4) Maps and tables of in-situ instruments that are used for monitoring by the Volcano 

Observatories. Maps by volcano can be pre-made; other maps could be dynamically 

generated by queries to an instrumentation database. 

(5) Downloadable files of 30-meter digital elevation models (DEM) for U.S. volcanoes 

rated as high and very high threat in the NVEWS assessment. When available, 10-

meter DEM should be provided. 

(6) Downloadable files of hazard-zonation layers from the published hazard assessment 

reports. Hazard zones should be displayed in file formats compatible with a variety of 

GIS software programs. If possible, there should be a built-in restriction on the zoom 

capability for map depictions so that the zone boundaries cannot be analyzed at an 

inappropriate scale. 

(7) Maps showing U.S. volcanoes on federal lands. Pre-made maps would probably suffice 

for major federal and state land units. An issue to resolve is how to define the “footprint” 

of a particular volcano (topographic expression? expected extent of flowage deposits?). 

Access to Published Articles, Assessments and Reports

(8) A menu of all the recent published hazard-assessment reports. An easy product to 

create is a single table that includes links to all reports available online (as pdf files). 

Eventually, greater search capability should be offered so users can search by jurisdictional 

boundaries (e.g., county, city, zip code). 

(9) Dynamic tables of the current scores for hazard and exposures factors at each U.S. 

volcano that form the basis of the NVEWS volcanic-threat assessment (see Appendix 3 

of Ewert et al., 2005). Tables should be generated from an underlying database of the most 

current information and data used in scoring those factors for each volcano to ensure up-todate content is presented. 

(10) A fact sheet for each very-high and high threat volcano. The fact sheets should have as 

standardized a format as possible, including a simplified summary of the volcano’s eruptive 

history and the hazard-zonation map if available. A good example is the existing fact sheet 

10
for Mount Hood by Gardner and others (2000) at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs060-00/. 

Information about a volcano’s eruptive history also should be easily accessed from various 

web pages. For example, AVO currently provides eruptive-history information for Alaskan 

volcanoes at http://www.avo.alaska.edu/searches/eruption_search.php. Until eruptive 

histories for other volcanoes are fully developed by the Observatories, the Smithsonian 

Institution’s global volcanism database can be used (http://www.volcano.si.edu/). 

 

(11) A searchable bibliographic database of articles and maps published by scientists 

supported by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program. Currently, bibliographies of 

publications since 1994 (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/sproducts.html) are minimally 

searchable with a word-processing function. An example of a searchable bibliography is 

on the AVO website at http://www.avo.alaska.edu/downloads/searchbib.php 

Digital Imagery

(12) A webcam menu (single table) of links to all of the relevant web cam pages. Eventually 

a web cam should be installed at all of the 18 highest-threat U.S. volcanoes 

(13) An image library for U.S. volcanoes. This should build on observatory image libraries 

by creating a common database structure and search tools for storing and retrieving images. 

In addition, this product could be supplemented by linkage to the image library of the 

Smithsonian’s online global volcanism database. The Working Group noted, however, that 

creating a comprehensive image library is a major, long-term effort that requires 

knowledgeable people to attach index terms and captions to each image. 

Summary Texts

(14) A “Volcanic State of the Country” text report. A brief, pre-formatted text report would 

be dynamically generated from the VAN database to give a snapshot summary of eruptive 

activity and unrest for a given date specified by the requester. 

(15) An annual summary of U.S. volcanism. This could be published as an online text report. 

Interactive and Background Resources

 (16) A Citizen Science webpage for volcanic activity. Such a page could be used for logging 

reports about ash fall in communities, observations on fumaroles from climbers, 

observations from pilots, submission of photos, etc. This product is along the lines of the 

USGS Earthquake Hazard Program’s “Did you feel it?” site 

(http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi.php); however, a volcano site cannot be operated 

in a fully automatic, receive-and-post mode. Checking of entries by the relevant 

observatory will be necessary to filter out misleading or inappropriate comments during 

volcanic crises and prevent it from becoming a mere blog for volcano enthusiasts. 

(17) Web pages with technical guidance on aspects of mitigation and hazard response. An 

example of this type of product is the USGS web presentation on volcanic ash which gives 

information about what ash is and what actions to take to mitigate its effects on 

transportation, buildings, power supply, water supply, agriculture, human health, etc. 

11
(http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash). Other topics should be identified by discussion with users 

such as local emergency managers. 

Implementation 

The highest-priority product for implementation is a web-accessible, synoptic status map of U.S. 

volcanoes showing alert levels and aviation color codes with clear links to Observatory hazard 

and monitoring data (#3A & B). Also of very high priority are the common-formatted VAN 

(#1A) and a web-based “Volcano Notification System” (#2) whereby users can customize a 

subscription to receive the desired hazard information. 

Databases

Several of the recommended products can be created readily with proper construction of 

relational databases that store the relevant information. For example, by utilizing an activitynotification database: 

• various types of notifications (for example, VAN and VONA) can be generated easily in 

the appropriate format, 

• an archive of past VAN with volcano/date filtering can be offered, 

• a synoptic map showing all current alert levels and aviation color codes can be created, 

• a standardized chronology of alert-level and color-code changes for monitored volcano 

can be dynamically generated, and 

• a summary of volcanoes active during a specified time period can be dynamically 

generated. 

Likewise, a database of volcano-monitoring instrumentation can be used to generate station maps 

of various types, and a hazard-assessment database can be used to serve a national menu of 

published reports, downloadable GIS layers, and DEM. 

The databases mentioned above are part of a larger effort to build a relational, web-accessible 

database system that can fully utilize the NVEWS threat and monitoring assessments for further 

analysis, as well as document how U.S. volcanoes were ranked in the NVEWS methodology of 

Ewert and others (2005). Given the central role of databases in the NVEWS initiative, sufficient 

resources – staff and hardware – should be allocated to the tasks of creating them and 

maintaining them. Although the VHP and its partners, particularly in Alaska, have added new 

staff with GIS and web expertise, a need remains for additional staffing at various locations. 

Website

The USGS VHP website is in the process of evolving from primarily an educational site for 

volcanophiles to one that also is a national-scale source of dynamic hazard information and 

notifications and that functions reliably in an operational mode (Venezky et al., 2006). The 

NVEWS volcanological product line provides the organizing framework for re-designing the 

website of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program into a national clearinghouse for technical 

hazards information. The redesign of the VHP site will be a major effort that must take into 

consideration how best to present the recommended NVEWS product line and how to link to the 

wealth of information about specific volcanoes that is presented on the Observatory websites. 

12
The recently revamped website of the Earthquake Hazards Program, which features regional 

seismic-network sites along with a national “Earthquake Center,” can be a guide for the VHP 

effort. 

Operational Issues

Disseminating notifications of volcanic hazards is a critical 24/7 operational duty that has 

significant implications for the server architecture used by the Volcano Observatories: 

• The server architecture must support dissemination of notifications as quickly as possible 

and include the ability to update notifications on short notice when hazard conditions 

change and to re-disseminate the information with minimal delay. 

• The architecture also must have very high availability to the Internet and to the Volcano 

Observatories, as people increasingly rely on the Internet for receipt of hazards 

notification. (A telephone call-down is, and will remain, the first method for delivering 

abbreviated messages but only to a short list of key users.) 

• Near-zero down time is required because significant changes in volcanic activity can 

occur at any time with little warning, and the dissemination system must be up and ready. 

• Overall, the server architecture must be sufficiently robust and fault-tolerant to permit 

routine maintenance and to withstand hardware failures, both without disruption. Server 

architecture also affects inter-operability among Observatories (the topic of another 

NVEWS Working Group), and hardware solutions should meet those operational 

requirements as well the ones outlined here. 

Discussion 

With respect to volcanic ash, which is both a volcanological and meteorological phenomenon, 

NOAA also provides important technical-information products. The Washington and Anchorage 

Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers issue advisory forecasts about the expected dispersion of 

airborne ash clouds, and National Weather Service forecast offices issue short-term warnings 

about airborne ash and advisories of expected ash fall (accumulation on the ground). Currently 

the USGS and NOAA, along with the Air Force Weather Agency (which provides ash-hazard 

notifications for U.S. Forces worldwide) and the FAA, actively collaborate to share data and 

refine communication protocols so that information about airborne-ash hazards quickly reaches 

commercial and military pilots, dispatchers, and air-traffic controllers. However, as noted at the 

2006 NVEWS Stakeholders Workshop (Guffanti and others, 2006), there is an opportunity for 

the USGS and National Weather Service to work together to improve ash fall forecasts and 

advisories. There is a need to develop an ash-dispersion and deposition model for operational 

use in both hypothetical and actual eruptions with map-based depiction of where, when, and how 

much ash deposition is forecast to occur, along with guidance about what actions affected groups 

should take (#18 in Table 1). 

Delivery of the recommended NVEWS products and functionalities will result in both improved 

responsiveness to users and higher visibility for volcano-monitoring efforts. However, it is 

important to note that in addition to offering the web-based information discussed here, an 

effective technical-outreach program also must include the direct interaction of Observatory staff 

with the people who make decisions about public safety. Scientists need to work closely with 

users during the decision-making process to interpret monitoring data, explain uncertainty in 

13
forecasts of expected hazards, help formulate appropriate mitigation/response plans, and provide 

full situational awareness during crises. Through their direct participation, scientists can advance 

the transformative process by which technical knowledge is changed into specific actions taken 

by communities and officials. 

References Cited 

Ewert, J. W., Guffanti, M., and Murray, T. L., 2005, An Assessment of Volcanic Threat and 

Monitoring Capabilities in the United States – Framework for a National Volcanic Early 

Warning System (NVEWS): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1164, 62 p. 

Online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1164

Gardner, C. A., Scott, W. E., Major, J. J., and Pierson, T. C., 2000, Mount Hood—History and 

Hazards of Oregon's Most Recently Active Volcano: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 

2000-60, 4 p. Online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs060-00/ 

Gardner, C. A., and Guffanti, M. C., 2006, U.S. Geological Survey's Alert Notification System 

for Volcanic Activity: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2006-3139, 4 p. 

 Online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139 

Guffanti, M., Scott, W. E., Driedger, C. L., and Ewert, J. W., 2006, Summary of the Stakeholders 

Workshop to Develop a National Volcanic Early Warning System (NVEWS): U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1224, 7 p. 

Online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1224 

Venezky, D. Y., Snedigar, S., Guffanti, M., Bailey, J. E., and Wall, B. G., 2006, Using Google 

Maps to access USGS volcano hazards information (abs.): Eos Transactions American 

Geophysical Union, v. 87, n. 52, Fall Meeting Supplement, Abstract IN43A-0901. 

14
Table 1. Recommended web-based technical-information products and functionalities for a National 

Volcano Early Warning System. 

Item Product Comments 

I. Alerts and Notifications 

1A Common-formatted Volcanic Activity Notice (VAN) used by all 

observatories for reporting changes in alert levels and activity. 

Requires interface to enter information into common 

database to produce VAN, CAP feed, aviation notice, etc. 

1B Single queriable archive of VAN and related notices with filtering 

by volcano/region/date. 

Generated from common VAN database. 

1C Standardized chronology per volcano of alert level/aviation color 

code changes with filter by date. 

Generated from common VAN database. 

2 Volcanic Notification Service (ala EQ Notification Service) Make part of VHP/NVEWS site redesign; can apply some 

Earthquake Hazards Program tools. 

II. Map-Based Hazard Information 

3A Synoptic status map of all US volcanoes showing alert levels & 

aviation color codes with filtering by region, alert level/ACC, etc. 

User-specified filtering; links to more information on 

Observatory sites. 

3B Clear paths to online real-time monitoring-data displays for each 

volcano on the status map. 

Variable effort to create; overlap with Inter-operability 

Working Group and observatory sites. 

4 Maps and tables of monitoring instrumentation, pre-made and 

user-defined. 

Requires that instrumentation database is maintained and 

current. 

5 30-m DEM (10-m if available) for U.S. volcanoes rated as high 

and very-high threat in NVEWS report. 

30-m exist for AK and all western US; 10-m exist for most 

of the Cascade peaks except those in Northern California. 

6 Downloadable GIS and Google-Earth layers from hazard 

zonation maps. 

Total effort is major. 

7 Maps of volcanoes on federally managed land. Pre-made maps not difficult. 

III. Access to Assessments and Reports 

8 "National" menu of recent hazard assessment (PDFs). Make database extensible to include related publications. 

9 Tables of NVEWS hazard and exposure scores for all volcanoes. Minor effort to post tables online, major effort to create 

underlying US volcanism database. 

10 Fact Sheet for each high- and very-high-threat U.S. volcano, 

including eruptive history. Standardized format. 

Major effort to do all, but some could be done with moderate

effort. 

11 Searchable VHP bibliography. Start with existing bibliography of publications since 1994. 

IV. Digital Imagery 

12 Webcam Menu Minor effort with current staff. 

13 Image library for US volcanoes. Need common database schema for archiving and retrieval; 

major effort to attach index terms & captions to each image. 

V. Summary Texts 

14 Dynamically-generated “Volcanic State of the Country” report Will take thoughtful development but then can be produced 

automatically from VAN database at time of user query. 

15 Annual summary of U.S. volcanism Recurring duty of 1-2 scientists. 

VI. Interactive and Background Resources 

16 Citizen Science webpage for reports about ash fall, pilot reports, 

observations from climbers, etc., including feedback mechanism 

May be able to adapt some EHP "Did you feel it?" tools, but 

not automatic receive-and-post mode. 

17 Mitigation and response guidance web pages (like current pages 

on ash). 

Major effort. Check with Reducing Community Vulnerability 

Working Group to solicit input about priority topics. 

18 Ash-deposition model for operational use that produces maps of 

where, when, how much ash for hypothetical & actual eruptions. 

Can use or adapt existing models. 

15
Appendix 1. 

PUBLISHED VOLCANO-HAZARD ASSESSMENTS FOR U.S. VOLCANOES 

 As of September 2007 

(When multiple assessments for a volcano have been published, only the most recent version is listed.) 

MULTI –STATE 

• Mullineaux, D. R., 1976, Preliminary overview map of volcanic hazards in the 48 conterminous 

United States: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-786, 1 plate, scale 

1:7,500,000. 

• Shipley, Susan, and Sarna-Wojcicki, A. M., 1983, Distribution, thickness, and mass of late 

Pleistocene and Holocene tephra from major volcanoes in the northwestern United States: A 

preliminary assessment of hazards from volcanic ejecta to nuclear reactors in the Pacific Northwest: 

U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1435, 27 p., 1 plate, scale 

1:2,500,000. 

• Hoblitt, R. P., Miller, C. D., and Scott, W. E., 1987, Volcanic hazards with regard to siting nuclearpower plants in the Pacific Northwest: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 87-297, 196 p., 5 

plates, scale 1:2,000,000. (Selected items on CVO website at 

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Hazards/NRC_Report/framework.html 

and scanned version of report at http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/ofr/ofr87297) 

ALASKA 

Alaska volcano-hazard assessment reports are available as PDF on the AVO website. A dynamically 

generated list can be created on AVO’s website via Library/Introduction/Hazard Reports; see 

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/downloads/classresults.php?pregen=haz 

Akutan

• Waythomas, C. F., Power, J. A., Richter, D. H., and McGimsey, R. G., 1998, Preliminary volcanohazard assessment for Akutan Volcano east-central Aleutian Islands, Alaska: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 98-360, 36 p., 1 plate. 

Aniakchak

• Neal, C. A., McGimsey, R. G., Miller, T. P., Riehle, J. R., and Waythomas, C. F., 2001, Preliminary 

volcano-hazard assessment for Aniakchak Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 00-519, 35 p., 1 plate. 

Augustine

• Waythomas, C. F., and Waitt, R. B., 1998, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for Augustine 

Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-106, 39 p., 1 plate. 

Emmons Lake Volcanic Center

• Waythomas, C.F., Miller, T.P., and Mangan, M.T., 2006, Preliminary Volcano Hazard Assessment 

for the Emmons Lake Volcanic Center, Alaska: Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. Geological Survey, 

Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5248, 33 p., 1 plate., 

16
Great Sitkin

• Waythomas, C. F., Miller, T. P., and Nye, C. J., 2003, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for 

Great Sitkin Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 03-112, 25 p., 1 plate, 

Hayes

• Waythomas, C. F., and Miller, T. P., 2002, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for Hayes 

Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-072, 27 p., 1 plate. 

Iliamna

• Waythomas, C. F., and Miller, T. P., 1999, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for Iliamna 

Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-373, 31 p., 1 plate. 

Kanaga

• Waythomas, C. F., Miller, T. P., and Nye, C. J., 2002, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for 

Kanaga Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 02-0397, 27 p., 1 plate, 

Katmai Volcanic Cluster

• Fierstein, Judy, and Hildreth, Wes, 2001, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for the Katmai 

volcanic cluster, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-489, 50 p., 1 plate. 

Makushin

• Begét, J. E., Nye, C. J., and Bean, K. W., 2000, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for 

Makushin Volcano, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys Report of 

Investigations 2000-4, 22 p., 1 plate, scale 1:100,000. 

Mount Spurr

• Waythomas, C. F., and Nye, C. J., 2002, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for Mount Spurr 

Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 01-482, 40 p., 1 plate, available at 

Okmok

• Beget, J.E., Larsen, J.F., Neal, C.A., Nye, C.J., and Schaefer, J.R., 2005, Preliminary volcanohazard assessment for Okmok Volcano, Unmak Island, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & 

Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2004-3, 32 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:150,000, 

Pavlof

• Waythomas, C. F., Miller, T. P., McGimsey, R. G., and Neal, C. A., 1997, Preliminary volcanohazard assessment for Pavlof Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-135, 1 

plate. 

Redoubt

• Waythomas, C. F., Dorava, J. M., Miller, T. P., Neal, C. A., and McGimsey, R. G., 1998, Preliminary 

volcano-hazard assessment for Redoubt Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 

97-857, 40 p., 1 plate. 

Shishaldin

• Begét, J. E., Nye, C. J., Schaefer, J. R., and Stelling, P. L., 2003, Preliminary volcano-hazard 

assessment for Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical 

Surveys Report of Investigations 2002-4, 28 p., 1 plate, scale 1:500,000. 

Tanaga

• Coombs, M. L., McGimsey, R. G., and Browne, B. L., 2007, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment 

for the Tanaga volcanic cluster, Tanaga Island, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific 

Investigations Report 2007-5094, 41 p., 1 plate, available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5094/ 

17
WASHINGTON 

Recent hazard-assessment reports for Cascade volcanoes in Washington and Oregon are available on the 

CVO website at http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Publications/hazards_reports.html (CVO homepage menu offers 

“Hazard Assessment Reports and Maps). 

In addition, 20 GIS data sets have been created that represent hazard information from the assessments of 

the 5 Washington volcanoes; see http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Hazards/DataSets/Washington/framework.html 

State-wide

• Crandell, D. R., 1976, Preliminary assessment of potential hazards from future volcanic eruptions in 

Washington: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-774, 1 plate, scale 

1:1,000,000. 

Glacier Peak

• Waitt, R. B., Mastin, L. G., and Begét, J. E., 1995, Volcanic-hazard zonation for Glacier Peak 

Volcano, Washington: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-499, 9 p., 2 plates, scale 

1:100,000. 

Mt. Adams

• Scott, W. E., Iverson, R. M., Vallance, J. W., and Hildreth, Wes, 1995, Volcano hazards in the 

Mount Adams region, Washington: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-492, 11 p., 2 

plates, scale 1:500,000, 1:100,000. 

Mt. Baker

• Gardner, C. A., Scott, K. M., Miller, C. D., Myers, Bobbie, Hildreth, Wes, and Pringle, P. T., 1995, 

Potential volcanic hazards from future activity of Mount Baker, Washington: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 95-498, 16p., 1 plate, scale 1:100,000. 

Mt. Rainier

• Hoblitt, R. P., Walder, J. S., Driedger, C. L., Scott, K. M., Pringle, P. T., and Vallance, J. W., 1998, 

Volcano hazards from Mount Rainier, Washington, Revised 1998: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report 98-428, 11 p., 2 plates, scale 1:100,000, 1:400,000. 

• U.S. Geological Survey, 1996, Perilous Beauty, The Hidden Dangers of Mount Rainier: VHS video, 

29 min. 

Mt. St. Helens

• Wolfe, E. W., and Pierson, T. C., 1995, Volcanic-hazard zonation for Mount St. Helens, Washington, 

1995: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-497, 12 p., 1 plate, scale 1:100,000. 

OREGON 

Recent hazard assessement reports for Cascade volcanoes in Washington and Oregon are available on the 

CVO website at http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Publications/hazards_reports.html (CVO homepage menu offers 

“Hazard Assessment Reports and Maps) 

Crater Lake

• Bacon, C. R., Mastin, L. G., Scott, K. M., and Nathenson, Manuel, 1997, Volcano and earthquake 

hazards in the Crater Lake region, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-487, 32 p, 

1 plate, scale 1:100,000. 

18
Mt. Hood

• Scott, W. E., Pierson, T. C., Schilling, S. P., Costa, J. E., Gardner, C. A., Vallance, J. W., and Major, 

J. J., 1997, Volcano hazards in the Mount Hood region, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 97-89, 14 p., 1 plate, scale 1:100,000. 

• Wessells, Steve, 1998, At risk: Volcano Hazards from Mount Hood, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 98-492, VHS video, 14 min. 

Three Sisters

• Scott, W. E., Iverson, R. M., Schilling, S. P., and Fisher, B. J., 2000, Volcano hazards in the Three 

Sisters region, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-437, 14 p., 1 plate, scale 

1:150,000. 

Newberry

• Sherrod, D. R., Mastin, L. G., Scott, W. E., and Schilling, S. P., 1997, Volcano hazards at Newberry 

Volcano, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-513, 14 p., 1 plate, scale 1:100,000. 

Jefferson

• Walder, J. S., Gardner, C. A., Conrey, R. M., Fisher, B. J., and Schilling, S. P., 1999, Volcano 

hazards in the Mount Jefferson region, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-24, 14 

p., 2 plates, scale 1:100,000. 

CALIFORNIA 

Selected maps and summaries (but not full reports) from the Shasta and State-wide hazard reports are 

online at various pages on the CVO website (see below). Link to Lassen fact sheet on VHP website via 

Selected Products page (see below). 

State-wide

• Miller, C. D., 1989, Potential hazards from future volcanic eruptions in California: U.S. Geological 

Survey Bulletin, 1847, 17 p., 2 plates, scale 1:500,000. (Selected parts at: 

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/California/Hazards/Bulletin1847/framework.html) 

Lassen

• Clynne, M. A., Christiansen, R. L., Miller, C. D., Stauffer, P. H., and Hendley, J. W. II, 2000, 

Volcano Hazards of the Lassen Volcanic National Park Area, California: U.S. Geological Survey 

Fact Sheet 022-00, 4 p. Online via VHP website at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs022-00/

Medicine Lake

• Donnelly-Nolan, J. M., Nathenson, Manuel, Champion, D. E., Ramsey, D. W., Lowenstern, J. B., 

and Ewert, J. W., 2007, Volcano hazards assessment for Medicine Lake volcano, northern 

California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5174-A, 26 p., 1 plate. 

Shasta

• Miller, C. D., 1980, Potential hazards from future eruptions in the vicinity of Mount Shasta volcano, 

northern California: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1503, 43 p., 3 plates, scale 1:62,500. Selected 

items online at:http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Shasta/Hazards/Bulletin1503/framework.html 

• Crandell, D. R., and Nichols, D. R., 1987, Volcanic hazards at Mount Shasta, California: U.S. 

Geological Survey General Interest Publication, 21 p. 

• Crandell, D. R. 1989, Gigantic debris avalanche of Pleistocene age from ancestral Mount Shasta 

Volcano, California, and debris-avalanche hazard zonation: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1861, 

32 p. Selected items online at: 

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Shasta/Publications/Bulletin1861/framework.html 

19
• Blakely, R., Christiansen, R., Ramsey D., Robinson, J., and Smith, J.G., 2001, Digital Shasta: 

Applying GIS Technology to Volcano Hazards: Online at: 

http://www.esri.com/mapmuseum/mapbook_gallery/volume16/geology4.html 

Long Valley

• Miller, C. D., Mullineaux, D. R., Crandell, D. R., and Bailey, R. A., 1982, Potential hazards from 

future eruptions in the Long Valley–Mono Lake area, east-central California and southwest Nevada 

– a preliminary assessment: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 877, 10 p. 

HAWAII 

Island of Hawaii

• Mullineaux, D. R., Peterson, D. W., and Crandell, D. R., 1987, Volcanic hazards in the Hawaiian 

Islands, in Decker, R. W., Wright, T. L., and Stauffer, P. H., eds., Volcanism in Hawaii: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 1350, v. 1, p. 599-621. 

• Heliker, Christina, 1990, Volcanic and seismic hazards on the Island of Hawaii: U.S. Geological 

Survey General Interest Publication, 48 p. Online via HVO website at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/hazards/ 

• Wright, T. L., Chun, J. Y. F., Esposo, Joan, Heliker, Christina, Hodge, Jon, Lockwood, J. P., and 

Vogt, S. M., 1992, Map showing lava-flow hazard zones, Island of Hawaii: U.S. Geological Survey 

Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-2193, 1 plate, scale 1:250,000. 

Island of Maui

• Crandell, D. R., 1983, Potential hazards from future volcanic eruptions on the Island of Maui, 

Hawaii: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Map I-1442, scale 1:100,000. 

Island of Oahu

• Crandell, D. R., 1975, Assessment of volcanic risk on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 75-287, 18 p. 

Mauna Loa

• Trusdell, F. A., Graves, P., and Tincher, C. R., 2002, Maps showing inundation zones for Mauna 

Loa, Hawai‘i: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-2401, 14 p., 10 plates, 

various scales. Online at http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/map-mf/mf2401/ 

• Trusdell, F., A., 1995, Lava flow hazards and risk assessment on Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawai`i, in 

Rhodes, J.M., and Lockwood, J. P. (eds.), Mauna Loa revealed: structure, composition, history, and 

hazards: Washington D.C., American Geophysical Union Monograph 92, p. 327-336. 

• Kauahikaua, J., Trusdell, F., and Heliker, C., 1998, The probability of lava inundation at the 

proposed and existing Kulani Prison sites: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-794, 21 p. 

 On HVO website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/products/OF98794/OF98794toc.html 

Haleakala

• Mullineaux, D. R., Peterson, D. W., and Crandell, D. R., 1987, Volcanic hazards in the Hawaiian 

Islands, in Decker, R. W., Wright, T. L., and Stauffer, P. H., eds., Volcanism in Hawaii: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 1350, v. 1, p. 599-621. 

WYOMING 

Yellowstone 

• Christiansen, R.L., Lowenstern, J.B.,Smith, R.B., Heasler, H., Morgan, L.A., Nathenson, M., Mastin, 

L.G., Muffler, L.J.P., and Robinson, J.E., 2007, Preliminary Assessment of Volcanic and 

Hydrothermal Hazards in Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report 2007-1071, version 1.1, 98 p. Online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1071/ 

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Appendix 2. 

INTERAGENCY RESPONSE PLANS FOR VOLCANIC ACTIVITY 

Mt. Rainier Volcanic Hazards Response Plan

1999. Involves National Park Service, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, King County 

Emergency Management, Washington State Emergency Management, Washington Division of Veterans 

Affairs, University of Washington, U.S. Forest Service, National Weather Service, U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, 

Federal Emergency Management Agency, cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Orting, and others. 

Online at http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/dem/EMDiv/Mt%20Rainier%20VHRP.htm 

Mount Baker-Glacier Peak Coordination Plan

2001, signed by Washington State Military Department, Snohomish County Department of Emergency 

Management, Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, Whatcom County Emergency 

Management Council, British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program, U.S. Forest Service (Mt. BakerSnoqualmie National Forest), and U.S. Geological Survey (Cascade Volcano Observatory). This is a 

combined response plan for Baker and Glacier Peak that replaces the 1982 Baker plan. 

Mount St. Helens Volcanic Activity Response Plan

2006, signed by U.S. Forest Service. Other participating cooperators are USGS Cascades Volcano 

Observatory, Clark County, Cowlitz County, Skamania County, Lewis County, Washington Emergency 

Management Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

PacifiCorp, Portland General Electric, Portland Office of Emergency Management. 

Online at http://www.fs.fed.gov.us/gpnf/mshnvm/documents/Volcano-Respnse-Plan-Oct-2006-current.pdf 

Mt. Hood Coordination Plan 

2005, signed by Oregon Emergency Management, Washington State Military Department, Oregon 

Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, Clark County, Hood River County, Wasco County, 

Clackamas County, Multnomah County, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, USGS 

Cascades Volcano Observatory, Mount Hood National Forest, and FEMA Region 10. 

Online at http://www.oregongeology.com/sub/earthquakes/mthoodplanfinal0905.pdf 

Alaska Interagency Operating Plan for Volcanic Ash Episodes

Last updated 1 April 2004, signed by Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 

USGS, U.S. Air Force, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and NOAA/National Weather 

Service. Online at http://aawu.arh.noaa.gov/interagency/interagency_plan.pdf 

Interagency Operating Plan for Volcanic-Ash Hazards to Aviation in the Pacific Region of the 

Northern Mariana Islands

2006, involves Federal Aviation Administration, USGS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

U.S. Air Force, and Emergency Management Office of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

National Volcanic Ash Operating Plan for Aviation

2007, signed by Federal Aviation Administration, USGS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

U.S. Air Force, NASA, and Smithsonian Institution. Online at http://www.ofcm.gov/p35-nvaopa/pdf/FCMP35-2007-NVAOPA.pdf

21
Appendix 3. 

LIST OF DATA BASE FIELDS USED IN CONSTRUCTING VOLCANIC ACTIVITY NOTICES 

Notice Name (e.g., USGS Volcanic Activity Notice, USGS Volcanic Observatory Notice for Aviation) 

Volcano Name 

CAVW# 

Current Alert Level 

Previous Alert Level 

Current Aviation Color Code 

Previous Aviation Color Code 

UTC Date and Time Issued (YYYYMMDD/HHMMZ) 

Local Date and Time Issued (Month Day, Year Time Zone) 

Source (Observatory) 

Notice Number 

Location, latitude 

Specify aviation format (e.g., Cardinal point DDMM) or regular format (Cardinal point DD deg MM 

min) 

Location, longitude 

Specify aviation format (e.g. Cardinal point DDDMM) or regular format (Cardinal point DDD deg 

MM min) 

Area (regional descriptor) 

Summit Elevation (always given in feet and meters) 

Volcanic Activity Summary 

Recent Observations 

Monitoring report (instrumental, remote-sensing, visual, web cam, etc.) 

 Observed volcanic cloud height 

 Other volcanic cloud information 

 Observed paths of lava flow(s) 

 Observed distribution of mudflow(s) 

 Observed extent of pyroclastic flow(s) 

 Observed tsunami runup(s) 

Hazard Analysis

 General 

 Ash cloud(s) 

 Ash fall (or, Tephra fall) 

 Lava flow(s) 

 Mudflow(s) 

 Tsunami 

 Gas emission(s) 

Remarks 

Contacts 

Next Notice 

22