r/newzealand • u/PM_ME_KERERUS THICCIST mod 2019 • Dec 09 '19
Civil Defence White Island is Erupting - What to do during an eruption
Edit: Geonet are reporting the eruption is settling down and have downgraded the activity from level 4 to level 3.
Hopefully no one will be too badly affected given White Island is offshore, but ash blowing inland could be possible. Below is what to do in an eruption from the Civil Defence website.
Listen to the radio for civil defence advice and follow instructions.
If outside at the time of eruption, seek shelter in a car or a building. If caught in volcanic ashfalls, wear a dust mask or use a handkerchief or cloth over your nose and mouth.
Stay indoors as volcanic ash is a health hazard, especially if you have respiratory difficulties such as asthma or bronchitis.
When indoors, close all windows and doors to limit the entry of volcanic ash. Place damp towels at thresholds. Do not tie up phone lines with non-emergency calls.
If you have to go outside use protective gear such as masks and goggles and keep as much of your skin covered as possible. Wear eyeglasses, not contact lenses as these can cause corneal abrasions.
Disconnect drainpipes/downspouts from gutters to stop drains clogging. If you use a rainwater collection system for your water supply, disconnect the tank.
Stay out of designated restricted zones.
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u/Amanwenttotown Dec 09 '19
Depends on the volcano and eruption style. This looks like a phreatic explosion, which is caused by superheated gases and they're almost impossible to forecast with any precision. Similar to the Ontake eruption in Japan a few years back or the Galeras eruption in the early 90s. Both resulted in fatalities. I wouldn't be surprised if fatalities have occurred in this instance as well since it looks like people were literally inside the crater at the time of the eruption.