HLS 501 Assignment 3: Volcanic Eruptions in the World

Volcanic Eruptions in the World
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Volcanic eruptions and impact on community and economy
Mount Tambora explosion
The Mount Tambora volcanic eruption occurred in 1815 and recorded as the largest ever explosion (Singh, 2013). This eruption recorded a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 7, thus a super-colossal volcano. Moreover, the Mount Tambora volcano is located on the Sumbawa Island, and still active. It is also one of the highest peaks in the Indonesian archipelago. The eruption was so loud that it was heard more than 1200 miles away (Gunn, 2008). The explosion caused the death of roughly 71,000 people, as well as clouds heavy ash dropping on far-way islands. The Mount Tambora eruption had harmful impacts on populations and critical infrastructure, including primary health impacts (Gunn, 2008). For instance, estimated 11,000-12,000 people were destroyed directly by the explosion of Tambora. In addition, the eruption led to tsunami waves of up to 4 metres that struck several Indonesian islands, further augmenting the death number. Eruptive fallout damaged agricultural productivity resulting to famine and diseases that caused deaths.
The eruption had damage to critical infrastructure with resultant impact on local populations. The Mount Tambora volcano spewed out towers of fire and terrific cloud of ash and gas into the air (Sanchez, 2013). The eruption continued for over three days where lava and ash damaged the island’s soil, as well as poisoned streams and rivers. The contaminated streams and rivers led to poor hygiene, increased diarrhoeal disease plus a malnourished population. Moreover, it ruined rice paddies, no crops would grow, no fish to catch; nearly all animals were killed. The local population was trapped and without food and starved to death. The local people on Sumbawa and near islands led simple lives.
Some of the psychological and economic damage resulting from the eruptions include destruction on landscape, destruction of buildings housing businesses and companies, death of economically-productive, and ash and lava flow damaging crops and water in farms (Gunn, 2008). The affected population is affected psychologically through traumatisation because of death and ruin of their homes and land. Victims have to evacuate from their lands to prevent more deaths.
Indonesia is a highly disaster-prone country and regularly experiences landslides, tsunamis, flooding, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and drought. In view of communities’ current readiness to protect populations and infrastructure from similar eruptions in the future several organisations have responsibilities. The bodies include the national disaster management agency, the government, the National Centre of Volcano and Geological Hazard Mitigation (Sanchez, 2013). Through the response system, the community is able to evacuate populations in case of a disaster. The emergency protocol involves early warning as well as preparedness. The government uses a risk communication strategy to inform the community about danger, coordinate evacuation, and risk mitigation.
Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption
Mount Pinatube sits in Luzon, Philippines and experienced a volcanic er...