PA43C-2190
Modernization of the International Volcanic Ash Website – a global resource for ashfall preparedness and impact guidance.
Thursday, 17 December 2015
Poster Hall (Moscone South)
Kristi Wallace1, Graham Leonard2, Carol Stewart3, Thomas M Wilson4, Michael Randall5 and Wendy K Stovall5, (1)U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Anchorage, AK, United States, (2)GNS Science-Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd, Lower Hutt, New Zealand, (3)Massey University, Palmeston North, New Zealand, (4)University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, (5)USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, WA, United States
Abstract:
The internationally collaborative volcanic ash website (
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/) has been an important global information resource for ashfall preparedness and impact guidance since 2004. Recent volcanic ashfalls with significant local, regional, and global impacts highlighted the need to improve the website to make it more accessible and pertinent to users worldwide. Recently, the Volcanic Ash Impacts Working Group (Cities and Volcanoes Commission of IAVCEI) redesigned and modernized the website. Improvements include 1) a database-driven back end, 2) reorganized menu navigation, 3) language translation, 4) increased downloadable content, 5) addition of ash-impact case studies, 7) expanded and updated references , 8) an image database, and 9) inclusion of cooperating organization's logos. The database-driven platform makes the website more dynamic and efficient to operate and update. New menus provide information about specific impact topics (buildings, transportation, power, health, agriculture, water and waste water, equipment and communications, clean up) and updated content has been added throughout all topics. A new “for scientists” menu includes information on ash collection and analysis. Website translation using Google translate will significantly increase user base. Printable resources (e.g. checklists, pamphlets, posters) provide information to people without Internet access. Ash impact studies are used to improve mitigation measures during future eruptions, and links to case studies will assist communities’ preparation and response plans. The Case Studies menu is intended to be a living topic area, growing as new case studies are published. A database of all images from the website allows users to access larger resolution images and additional descriptive details. Logos clarify linkages among key contributors and assure users that the site is authoritative and science-based.
