HR: 1340h
AN: V33A-0669    [Abstracts]
TI: An Assessment of the Volcanic Hazards on the Island of Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
AU: * Andrew, R
EM: randrew@gwdg.de
AF: Department of Structural Geology and Geodynamics Geoscience Centre University of Göttingen, Goldschmidtstraáe 3, Göttingen, 37077 Germany
AB: The Vestmannaeyjar Islands, off the southern coast of Iceland, mark the most recent area of activity in the southward propagation of the East Volcanic Zone. The eruptions of the islands of Surtsey in 1963 to 1967 and of Heimaey in 1973 indicate a phase of increased activity. The Vestmannaeyjar Islands are thought to be developing into the central (composite) volcano within the volcanic system of the same name. The magma of the 1973 Heimaey eruption is of the same general composition, although slightly more evolved, as that of the 1963 Surtsey eruption. Increased volcanic activity in the area automatically creates increased risk to the island of Heimaey with a population of 5300. Thus a study of the evolution of the island up to and including the 1973 eruption was carried out and a hazard map compiled for the island. The hazard map encapsulates the areas of highest risk, as well as alternative evacuation routes from the island. The logistics of an evacuation of the island are an issue that needs to be addressed; following the favorable evacuation during the 1973 eruption, a false sense of security could be said to be in place. The study also looked at the awareness of the population and their education as regards the volcanic hazards in the area. The hazard map for the island recognizes that a future eruption could be further away from the populated areas of the island, though this does alter the risk involved. A future eruption could occur to the northeast of the island, in which case it would block the natural harbor. Aside from evacuation in an emergency, further questions arise from this study in relation to the future of the island and its predominant fishing industry. The main conclusions of the study are, first, that the people of the island feel that an imminent eruption of the Katla Volcano on the mainland poses perhaps the only future volcanic hazard. Katla Volcano being on the mainland, its future eruption will not much affect them. A second main conclusion is that the lack of planning and awareness of the risks and lack of hazard map could be relatively easily remedied, and should be done soon.
DE: 0468 Natural hazards
SC: Volcanology, Geochemistry, Petrology [V]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005