HR: 1340h
AN: V53B-1325    [Abstracts]
TI: A GIS Framework for Mitigating Volcanic and Hydrothermal Hazards at Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity
AU: * Robinson, J E
EM: jrobins@usgs.gov
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: Flynn, K
AF: University of California, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, United States
AU: Christiansen, R L
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: Lowenstern, J B
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: Smith, R B
AF: University of Utah, 135 S. 1460 E Room 719, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
AU: Heasler, H
AF: National Park Service, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National, WY 82190, United States
AU: Morgan, L A
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25046 Denver Federal Center, Denver, CA 80225, United States
AU: Nathenson, M
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AU: Mastin, L G
AF: Cascades Volcano Observatory, 1300 SE Cardinal Court, Vancouver, WA 98683, United States
AU: Muffler, L
AF: U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
AB: Yellowstone National Park encompasses one of Earth's largest systems of volcanic, seismic, and hydrothermal activity. These active hydrothermal and volcanic systems, and associated seismicity have the possibility for future violent events and pose potential hazards to park visitors and infrastructure. Depending on the nature and magnitude of a particular hazardous event, from small-localized hydrothermal steam explosions to very large volcanic eruptions of ash and lava, and the particular time and season when it might occur, 70,000 to more than 100,000 people could be affected. Although the most violent events are the least likely, their occurrence could affect a broader region or even continent-wide areas. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) was created to monitor these hazards. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is one of the tools YVO is using to assess and monitor hazards. A GIS provides a central storage location for data such as: location and distribution of lava flows, ash deposits, and pyroclastic flows, seismicity, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and other geodetic data, and instrument locations, legacy surveys, and park infrastructure. The system also provides tools for the creation of deformation surfaces, hazard buffers, hazard modeling, and portrayal of complex hazard information to local officials and the public. Continued monitoring by YVO will facilitate recognition of premonitory indications before a volcanic eruption. GIS will play a role in both the monitoring and mitigation of the hazards in Yellowstone National Park and vicinity by facilitating advance preparation for responses to potential hazards from future volcanic eruptions or hydrothermal explosions and can help mitigate their effects on the park, its staff and visitors.
DE: 1819 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
DE: 8440 Calderas
DE: 8494 Instruments and techniques
DE: 8499 General or miscellaneous
DE: 9350 North America
SC: Volcanology, Geochemistry, Petrology [V]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting