Introducing 

Prezi AI.

Your new presentation assistant.

Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.

Loading…
Transcript

2016 Eruption of Mount Sinabung

By: Aimi Bui

Tiltmeters

GPS and Satellite

As a volcano begins to erupt, surface deformation will occur. This is when the volcano’s ground surface will swell, sink, or crack. The magma system changes the shape of the volcano so when magma moves into the system, it causes pressure and the ground above the magma moves upwards and outwards like a balloon. Alternatively, when the magma moves out of the system, the volcano deflates. Therefore, using Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment, volcanologists can predict a future eruption. GPS accurately measures the horizontal and vertical motions of the volcano and detects any changes to the shape of the crater such as change in size. There are stations that are situated on opposite sides of the volcano and when they detect movement from the volcano, the information gets sent to satellites orbiting above the Earth. These satellites then analyse the speed and distance at which the volcano is moving at.

Tiltmeters are sensitive inclinometers that measure ground tilt near volcanoes in order to detect seismic and volcanic activity. They come in many varieties such as high precision, portable, electronic. These types of tiltmeters are all used slightly differently but electronic tiltmeters are most commonly used to monitor volcanic activity. Moving magma causes volcanoes to bulge upward and outward and the surface spreads apart. Therefore, the precision of the tiltmeters assists in helping volcanologists identify the early stages of an eruption. There are three components of an electronic tiltmeter- conducting fluid, a bubble which floats on top of the fluid, and a small vessel that houses everything. When the volcano tilts, the liquid also tilts with it and thus, moving the bubble. The electrodes which are in the fluid determines the position of the bubble and so when there is less fluid, less voltage is detected. As such, when there is more fluid, there is more electricity. Titltmeters can measure down to one tenth of a microdian. The tiltmeter is then placed on a pier which is situated on top of the side of the volcano.

Technology to predict future event.

A goose that has been killed by the volcano.

Seismometer.

Thermal Imaging

As activity increases around the volcano, temperatures increase, thus thermal imaging is used to detect heat and safely predict a future eruption. Thermal imaging cameras have special lenses which detect infrared light which is invisible to the naked human eye but can be felt as heat. The light is scanned by infrared-detector elements and is then used to create a thermogram (a detailed temperature pattern). After it has been converted to electric impulses, it is sent to a signal processing unit which displays the information. Using a thermal imaging colour scale, scientists are able to record and analyse the temperature of each area of the volcano without any direct contact from a safe distance. The areas that are red in colour are hotter in temperature and the areas that are purple in colour are cooler in temperature. If the temperature rises above a certain point, an alarm will go off. This is because pressure builds up inside the magma chamber when the gases get heated up due to volcanic heat until they escape from the volcano and explode.

Seismometers are instruments that measure the vibrations of the Earth’s crust, especially seismic waves caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Most of the time, faulting and facturing does not mean an eruption will occur. However an increase in vibrations caused by moving magma and volcanic fluids may lead to a possible earthquake or eruption. Seismometers are placed in various places around the volcano and are converted to radio signals which are then transmitted to the nearest volcano observatory. These places record the waves 24 hours a day and afterwards, are recorded on paper on rotating drums. Afterwards, seismologists analyse and classify these seismographs to identify any major concerns.

Possible solutions

Predictions of the likely recurrence of the tectonic

movement involved

Since majority of the eruptions occurred around August-September-November, it is predicted that Mount Sinabung is likely to erupt around these months. Since the 2010 eruption, researchers have been observing the mountain and have predicted around one to three little eruptions every year due to Sinabung having a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) value between 203 and has an uncertainty level of 20%. However, it is important to note that sometimes volcanic eruptions can occur that contradict predictions that were based on analysis of past events.

Analysis of tectonic movement involved

A detailed emergency plan is the most important and effective way to minimize the danger of a volcanic eruption. Therefore, everyone who will be affected by a possible volcanic eruption must be aware of an emergency plan and all the risks and hazards involved. It is also recommended that an emergency kit with googles, a mask, a flashlight and a battery operated radio is to be kept in a safe and easily accessable place so it is ready to be used when the situation calls for it. A first aid kit, blankets and tinned food are also recommended to bring along.

Educating people can prevent chaos and create an organized system which can decrease the chance of causalities or injuries in a disaster. The easiest way to do this is to regularly broadcast a segment via TV or radio that discusses the emergency plan. Practicing regular yearly earthquake drills are another good way to educate people.

Whilst there is no such thing as a volcano proof building, the design of the buildings is important in making sure that in the case of a volcanic eruption, it will hold up better than the traditional buildings. Modern buildings that are built with a volcanic hazard in mind are stronger so that the falling ash is less likely to danage the building seriously.

There are many things to consider when building or designing a house near a volcano such as:

• An easily accessible evacuation route.

• Windows facing the volcano so that people can see if it erupts.

• Lateral support so that the wind does not blow against the roof and cause it to fall and has high tensile strength. (strong, can withstand a heavy load of ash)

• Steep slope roofs so that the ash can slide off the roof.

• A concrete structure which is much more suitable against wind and earthquakes compared to timber framed buildings.

  • Mount Sinabung is a 4260m tall volcano in the Karo District in North Sumatra, Indonesia that erupted in August 2010 after being dormant for over 400 years (since 1600) and since has erupted in September 2010, September, November and December 2013, January, February and October 2014, and May and November 2016. Since it is located on the Ring of Fire in the Pacific which is a “ring” of volcanoes and fault lines surrounding the Pacific Basin, it is prone to seismic activity. On May 21, 2016 at 4:48pm local Indonesian time, large pyroclastic flows were unleashed out of Mount Sinabung and it ejected volcanic ash as high as 3km. The series of pyroclastic flows reached a distance of 4.5km. The eruption killed 7 people and critically injured 2 other people. Eruption was caused by the subduction of the Indo-Australian plate under the Sunda Plate which is a breakaway part of the Eurasian Plate, which are both oceanic plates. Therefore, the eruption was a result of ocean ocean convergence as Indonesia is a volcanic island arc.

Bibliography

Location.

Subduction zone.

Movement of tectonic plates around Sumatra.

Bauwens, Joe. (2013, November 24). Thousands evacuated following series of eruptions on Mount Sinabung, Sumatra. Retrieved November 22, from http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/thousands-evacuated-following-series-of.html

Lucas, Jim. (2015, March 26). What Is Infrared? Retrieved November 22, from http://www.livescience.com/50260-infrared-radiation.html

Tyson, Jeff. (2001, April 21). How Night Vision Works. Retrieved November 22, from http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/nightvision.htm

FLIR Systems. (2015, September 14). Studying Volcanoes and Volcanic Activity with FLIR Thermal Imaging Cameras. Retrieved November 22, from http://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=655

USGS. (2016, November 16). How Do Volcanoes Erupt? Retrieved November 22, from https://www2.usgs.gov/faq/categories/9819/2729

Unknown. (2008, March 13). Tiltmeters Detecting Seismic Activity. Retrieved November 24, from http://earthscience08.blogspot.com.au/2008/03/tiltmeters-detecting-seismic-activity.html

Mattox, Steven. (Unknown). Volcano Monitoring Techniques. Retrieved November 24, from https://hilo.hawaii.edu/~kenhon/GEOL205/monitor/monitors.html

IRIS. (2013, February 19). Volcano Monitoring with Tiltmeters and GPS (Educational). Retrieved November 24, from

Reference. (Unknown). What is a tiltmeter? Retrieved November 24, from https://www.reference.com/science/tiltmeter-6726bca00e793bf7

USGS. (2015, October 27). Movement on the Surface Provides Information About the Subsurface. Retrieved November 24, from https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/deformation.html

GPS Spotlight. (Unknown). GPS & Volcanoes. Retrieved November 24, from http://xenon.colorado.edu/spotlight/index.php?action=kb&page=40

BBC. (2014). Managing Tectonic Hazards. Retrieved November 24, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/natural_hazards/managing_hazards_rev1.shtml

British Geological Survey. (Unknown). Seismic monitoring. Retrieved November 24, from http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/hazards/volcanoes/montserrat/seismic.html

USGS. (2016, February 10). Monitoring Volcano Seismicity Provides Insight to Volcanic Structure. Retrieved November 24, from https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/earthquakes.html

Blankenbehler, Benjamin. (2015, December 10). How To Design Buildings To Withstand Volcanic Eruptions. Retrieved November 24, from http://www.architecturerevived.com/how-to-design-buildings-for-volcano-eruptions/

National Geographic. (Unknown). Volcano Safety Tips. Retrieved November 24, from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com.au/environment/natural-disasters/volcano-safety-tips/

Victoriahoo1996. (2012, May 27). Reducing the impacts of volcanoes. Retrived November 24, from http://www.slideshare.net/Victoriahoo1996/reducing-the-impacts-of-volcanoes

n time, large pyroclastic flows which reached a distanced of 4.5

Volcanic ash covers dishes and cups in an abandoned house.

Learn more about creating dynamic, engaging presentations with Prezi