Q&A for How to Survive a Volcanic Eruption

You don't want to expose yourself to ash and chemicals in ash. Also, sulfuric acid and other acids may seep into water, and it may become very hot.

Non-perishable food, radio, flashlights, batteries, water bottles, breathing masks, goggles, blankets, warm clothing, a deck of cards and a book for distraction, and anything else you can think of to help keep you alive.

Areas with high volcanic activity often have designated shelters. Tornado shelters are also a good option.

Find a dirty water source. Then find or make a collection tray, and place it in the center or as close to the center as you can. Drape plastic film over the top of the area, and let the sun evaporate the water. It'll fall into the collection tray, and sure enough you'll have clean water.

Yes, a brick house may provide shelter during an eruption.

Mudflows can move faster than you can walk or run. Look upstream before crossing a bridge and do not cross the bridge if a mudflow is approaching. Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas.

Figure a way out or carry water with you - but watch out for the steam that emerges from lava when water hits it.

No. If a volcano is going to erupt, nothing on earth can keep it from happening, but you can survive an eruption by getting as far away as possible or going to a shelter.

Schools in volcanic active areas usually have emergency plans in case of disaster.

Since pyroclastic surges are fast and not constrained by topography, it is hard to find a safe place when they come. The best way to be safe from this hazard is to put a lot of distance between you and the volcano.

You would do the same things. If you have a warning, get as far away as possible and find an evacuation center.

Try to find an area where the lava can flow away or can't reach you as easily, like a ditch or an island in the middle of a water source.

Go outside, but you should be able to use your toilet though.

A strong structure or a designated eruption shelter, but a tornado shelter should also be fine.

You don't need to call anyone. You need to get away from the eruption as quickly as possible.

Unless you have been told to stay in your car by authorities, or it doesn't appear safe to do so, get out of the car and run for the nearest shelter.

Lava is just hot molten rock of sulfuric iron and nickel. It doesn't get conducted like electricity.

A flow of rocks and lava ash with high speeds hurling at a volcanic ground (0 to 10+ km away from a volcano) is known as a pyroclastic flow/surge.

The median duration of recorded eruptions is seven weeks, according to Oregon State University. However, they can go on for thousands of years. The Hawaiian volcano Kilauea is an example of a long-lasting eruption. It has been erupting continuously since 1983.

You should try to escape the lava and find higher ground to protect yourself.

The best thing to do would be to find someone who isn't disabled and ask them to help you escape in the event of a natural disaster. That person can be responsible for evacuating you and making sure that you have all of your necessary items before you leave.

It depends but for a volcano, high grounds, or a secure shelter like a brick house are helpful.

No, it would be too dangerous.

Get your baby to an emergency room/ medical facility immediately.

There most likely will not be a volcano near an airport due to safety issues, but if it has a chance to affect you, the staff should inform you of the procedure for safe evacuation.

Include them in your emergency escape plan. Have pet carriers available and ready and an emergency stash of food and anything else your animals need that you can just grab on your way out the door.

If you're asleep with headphones on, there's a chance you won't hear any warnings. If you live with someone, they'll see the warning and wake you. Chances are, even if you live alone, authorities will alert you and tell you to stay indoors. However, if you live near a volcano, I would advise not sleeping with headphones on if you believe that you could potentially miss a warning.

Figure out an evacuation route and the closest shelter. Make sure you always have bottled water in your house and food just in case there is no time to evacuate.

This is unlikely to happen. We can foresee an eruption days beforehand and the local authorities would place signs at the base of any walking path or tourist ascension zone to make it clear that the area is out of bounds and not to be climbed or toured. Also, it pays to read the news online before visiting a volcano.

Get a towel, and get it wet. Put it over your mouth before you stand up.