Volcanic activity and environment. Impacts on agriculture and use of geological data to improve recovery processes

Abstract

Volcanic eruptions are dramatic events that can significantly affect the livelihood ofsurrounding populations, in particular since the fertility of volcanic soils results inthem often being used for agricultural purposes. Therefore, when volcanic crisesoccur, the livelihood of farmers can be strongly affected. The actions taken both byfarmers and the authorities during recovery phase from a volcanic eruption areimportant and will have a strong influence on the ability of local population to regaintheir financial equilibrium and independence. This study evaluates factors that arecritical in the improvement of recovery processes for agricultural areas affected bynatural hazards, and in particular volcanic activity. Work was carried on the basis ofsites visits, focusing on interviewing scientists involved in the crises and/or localresidents and authorities, as well as documentary reviews of past case histories of thehandling of natural hazard crises. Four main field visits were carried out: Mts.Pinatubo and Mayon (Philippines), Mt. Unzen (Japan), Mt. Taranaki and heavysnowfalls of 2006 in South Canterbury (New Zealand) and Volcán de Turrialba(Costa Rica). The study reveals that scientists collect information throughout avolcanic crisis that can be used effectively to improve recovery response times inagricultural areas. In order to contribute positively to the recovery of an area, theinformation supplied needs to be relevant to the area affected which implies a preexistingknowledge of the specifics of the region depending on the type of crops oranimals being raised, as well as of the climatic and seasonal components. In addition,it is important to have already established trusted communication channels betweenscientists, authorities and local communities through which this information can betransmitted to ensure efficient exchanges of this information. The case studies alsoshow that communities that are organised around a strong support network achievehigher levels of resilience and thereby fare better not only throughout the emergencyphase but also at recovery stage.