Page 39 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

16 Introduction

• Quito, Ecuador (Cotopaxi, Guagua Pichincha, Potential risk factors around volcanoes
Pululagua) Volcanic eruptions may not be as common as other
• Rotorua, New Zealand (Mt Edgecumbe, Tarawera) types of natural hazards such as extreme weather or
• San Jose, Costa Rica (Arenal) floods (Johnston and Ronan, 2000; Chester et al,
• Seattle, USA (Mt Rainier) 2001; Seach, 2009b), which can happen anywhere
• Tokyo, Japan (Fuji) to unsuspecting tourists, or the risks and hazards
• Toya, Japan (Usu) broadly applying to mountain regions in varying
degrees – for example, hiking and climbing
In some regions more than one active volcano accidents, hypothermia and altitude sickness,
presents potential hazards for residents and visitors. avalanches of snow or rocks, sudden fog and getting
This often includes regions where volcano tourism lost. However, by adding volcanic and geothermal
is one of the major sources of economic revenue activity the scenario can change significantly and at
and visitors accept a certain risk in exchange for least another handful of potential problems should
unique and adventurous experiences on an active be considered seriously before venturing into
volcano. Destructive natural events such as volcanic unknown territory. Volcanic hazards refer to ash
eruptions are a risk factor with catastrophic and tephra fall, pyroclastic flows and lahars (Blong,
potential which is particularly high in developing 2000), with the hazard of lahars continuing for
countries (Chester et al, 2001), where the tourism months or even years after an eruption, as they can
sector is highly vulnerable to natural disaster be triggered by rainfall at any time (Table 1.4).
(Méheux and Parker, 2006), for example, through In the case of an unexpected eruption, ballistic
the destruction of tourism infrastructure as has objects in various sizes and at various temperatures
happened on Montserrat (Government of can inflict serious injury or even death. Lava flows
Montserrat, 2008). as seen in documentaries from Hawai‘i may be the
Every year millions of tourists visit active least threatening event due to their comparatively
volcanic and geothermal environments, quite slow movement although lava from Nyiragongo
commonly without sufficient awareness regarding (Chapter 2) and Piton de la Fournaise (Furnace
the potential dangers they could face in an Peak) can flow at higher speeds due to its low
emergency situation such as an unexpected viscosity. Pyroclastic flows and pyroclastic density
eruption. Informative texts about volcanic currents, however, (avalanches of glowing ash and
regions rarely focus on safety guidelines for rocks), cannot be outrun or hidden from with a
tourists, although some books (e.g. Fisher et al, reasonable chance of survival, and have caused the
1997; Edelmann, 2000; Lopes, 2005; Rosi et al, most deaths and injuries in volcanic eruptions
2003) do offer recommendations on what type (Marti and Ernst, 2005; Schmincke, 2006). They can
of safety precautions should be taken before travel at speeds up to several hundred kilometres per
setting out into hazardous locations. The hour and can reach temperatures of up to 800–
Geological Survey of the United States (USGS, 1000°C. While pyroclastic flows seem to follow
2000b) and the National Park Service offer gullies and valleys downhill, pyroclastic surges can
educational fact sheets via the Internet for move uphill and over ridges, which makes them
visitors of active volcanic areas such as Hawai‘i, extremely dangerous and unpredictable (Wright
for example, because the popular activity of lava and Pierson, 1992; Myers and Brantley, 1995).
viewing can be hazardous and common sense Other unpleasant and life threatening
alone is not enough for a safe experience. In experiences can originate from glacier bursts or
these cases people have the opportunity to get jökulhlaups when subglacial volcanoes erupt and
valuable information before they arrive, but in release melt water across the countryside.
most other situations the required information is Unexpected eruptions, ashfall, lahars, mudslides,
buried in local planning schemes or just does landslides, gas emissions and toxic fumes,
not exist. earthquakes and thermal burns from hot springs

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