Page 360 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

336 Part VII

volcanoes (Table 22.2) are all well-known tourist Each comment was made by a different respondent
destinations, with the majority of them located and therefore this list reflects a broad range of
within a national park. views based on observation in the field. The
When questioning why this group considered resulting advice from geoscientists and
these volcanoes dangerous the results sometimes volcanologists for tourists and tour organisers
contradicted each other. Nevertheless some includes hazard maps with explanations of current
examples are presented below, as the comments volcanic activity, emergency contact details along
were made by geoscientists who are working in a with a list of fatal accidents and injuries for
wide range of volcanic settings and therefore may individual regions to make people understand that
have an equally wide range of experience/ the danger is real. It was also suggested that
expertise and individual reasons for their opinions. signage with site-specific information has to be
To illustrate the scientific opinions on why certain clear about the volcanic and/or geothermal
volcanoes are considered more dangerous than others hazards of a particular region. Signage should be
some of the comments made during the survey visible when entering a volcanic area with an info
are reproduced here as direct quotes: box containing trail maps and leaflets with pictures
or standard symbology which may have a better
• [volcanoes] with unexpected explosive activity, chance to be read and understood. The basic
even if small scale, e.g. dome collapse, hazards at particular volcanoes, escape routes,
phreatomagmatic explosions, lava delta collapses; emergency services locations, and precautions to
• [volcanoes] that suddenly erupt; take should be clearly illustrated and marked for
• unpredictable activity; everybody to understand.
• volcanoes near cities; These professional recommendations further
• [volcanoes] open to public who are oblivious include the suggestions that volcano tourists do
to dangers; need more information, should attend safety
• [volcanoes] with frequent activity such as orientation prior to ascent, must obey current
strombolian eruption can change quickly – expert advice which should be provided clearly
attracting tourists to crater rims [with fireworks]; on site, and that tourists should use more common
• volcanoes with continuous strombolian activity sense and accept responsibility for any injury they
as they are most attractive, but lull people into incur. Their suggestions of keeping to the paths,
a false sense of security as the level of activity walking tracks or trails, together with paying
can change without warning; attention to warnings and listening to local
• [volcanoes] that are not ‘famous’ or regularly officials point towards the fact that qualified tour
effusing – the hazards may not be obvious or guides may also be required in potentially dangerous
signposted; volcanic and geothermal environments.
• volcanoes that are fairly easy to access for the The need to wear appropriate outdoor
general public as opposed to volcanoes in clothing, especially footwear (ankle-covered hiking
inaccessible locations; boots) was emphasized repeatedly as well as the
• [volcanoes] in remote regions where there is a importance of carrying enough water on
lack of tourist supervision and advice available; excursions to a volcanic area. Another measure
• steep volcanoes with crater lakes; that was suggested is exclusion zones that would
• also crater lakes and gas pockets – as dangers prevent tourists from being able to get too close
are not obvious; to dangerous spots (lava flows, fumaroles) with
• [volcanoes] that are not currently active and barriers that cannot be ignored. However, to
tour guides are therefore not as active on safety enforce this form of control increased numbers of
promotion; park rangers would be needed.
• persistently active systems characterized by The provision of emergency radios was also
small-medium explosion or dome building/ suggested given that mobile phones are unreliable.
collapse episodes; Further recommendations included developing a
• most of them. general website about volcano tourism with

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