disaster life_threatening ai_generated true

AI advises running uphill away from a volcanic eruption to escape pyroclastic flow

ID: disaster/volcano-eruption-run-uphill

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
88%Fix Rate
85%Confidence
1Evidence
2023-08-22First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
volcano-monitoring-v3.0 active — — —
hazard-map-2023 active — — —

Root Cause

Pyroclastic flows move at speeds exceeding 100 km/h and follow topography, flowing downhill and into valleys; running uphill may lead into the flow's path if the vent is above, and human speed cannot outrun the flow.

generic

中文

火山碎屑流速度超过100公里/小时，沿地形向下流动并进入山谷；如果火山口在上方，向山上跑可能进入碎屑流路径，且人类速度无法逃脱。

Official Documentation

https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-hazards

Workarounds

  1. 80% success Evacuate perpendicular to the flow path (sideways) and seek high ground outside the expected flow channel. Use official hazard maps to know safe zones. 
    Evacuate perpendicular to the flow path (sideways) and seek high ground outside the expected flow channel. Use official hazard maps to know safe zones.
  2. 60% success If no evacuation is possible, shelter in a sturdy building on the upper floors, away from windows and doors, and cover yourself with thick blankets or a wet cloth to protect from heat and ash. 
    If no evacuation is possible, shelter in a sturdy building on the upper floors, away from windows and doors, and cover yourself with thick blankets or a wet cloth to protect from heat and ash.
  3. 75% success After the flow passes, do not leave shelter immediately; wait for official all-clear as secondary flows and ashfall can occur. 
    After the flow passes, do not leave shelter immediately; wait for official all-clear as secondary flows and ashfall can occur.

中文步骤

  1. 垂直于流动路径（侧向）撤离，并前往预期流动通道外的高地。使用官方危险地图了解安全区域。
  2. 如果无法撤离，在坚固建筑的上层避难，远离门窗，用厚毯子或湿布遮盖以保护免受热和灰烬伤害。
  3. 碎屑流过后，不要立即离开避难所；等待官方解除警报，因为可能发生二次流动和火山灰沉降。

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 90% fail

    Pyroclastic flows can surge over ridges and travel far from the vent; running without knowing the flow's path often leads into its path.

  2. 85% fail

    Pyroclastic flows can bury structures under meters of hot ash and rock, causing entrapment and asphyxiation.

  3. 95% fail

    The flow's heat (up to 1000°C) and gas will overcome any shelter; rocks offer no protection from the blast and heat.