You ’d guess that knowing how to outrun an active vent is just about as utile as knowing how to go up out of quicksand . Which is to say , not very , as you are unconvincing to bump these disaster scenario in your lifetime . But accord to aspace observation agency , there are 1500 active volcanoes on Earth and more than 500 million multitude live dangerously stuffy to them . While those bit can sound chilling , only 50 or so volcanoes break out each class , discharging steam , gasolene , lava , or cloud of dust into the standard pressure . Here ’s how to lam them .
HEED EVACUATION WARNINGS.
If you want to get away from a potentially dangerous volcano , nullify ones that are on the verge of burst out in the first berth . outside scientists apply satellites to observe gravid volcano from above and radar and optical instruments on the soil to help predict eruptions . If mensuration take them to suspect an eruption is at hand , the local governments around the volcano will come forth evacuation warnings for anyone hold out near the volcano ’s crater , or exclusion zona . If you populate near one , have a “ go - bag ” quick and packed with living and medical essential in grammatical case you involve to empty quickly . Memorize your escape road to safe ground .
Other countries may also issue travel warnings , caution visitors that they could be entering a risky area and may become stranded if an eruption take place . This is what happened after the eruptions at Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland in 2010 ; flight to and from Europe were grounded for most a calendar week . If you are visiting an participating volcano , hire an experienced and well-read templet who can instruct you of refuge precautions , such as wearing tough boots and staying on marked trail , and discourage you of any sudden environmental change .
USE A VEHICLE TO ESCAPE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
Volcanic eruptions are dangerous , potentially cataclysmal events that you should never realistically expect to outrun . But you could potentially turn tail . According to a studyon an ancient super - clap — which produced hazardous expulsions of cloth — the flows typically traveled 10 mph to 45 mph for 100 miles . Humans can run only at about 15 mph , so your best bet is hopping in a vehicle , which can travel must quicker . If you are escaping a lava flow , do not repulse or jump over it , as it will melt your vehicle and potentially snare you between multiple stream . However , boring flows are not always the case . Flows follow the 1980 Mount St. Helen ’s clap in Washington State traveled at 370 mph , which is a speed that could not be outrun .
GET UP HIGH OR UPWIND.
While lava is the most prominent essence of eruption , this fiery material motion so slow that you could probably take the air away from it . The really dangerous component is the pyroclastic flow rate , which can reach temperatures of 1200 ° F and speeds of 300 mph , carry virulent gas and ash tree in its cloud of destruction . Some volcanologistssuggest , in a can’t - get - a - boat - off - the - island scenario , getting upwind or to high-pitched background — such as up a surrounding mountain — to escape the low - density swarm , which tend to swing to Earth quickly and spread out quickly over land and ocean . If you have to go outside , wear out safety goggles and a external respiration masque and avoid any surrounding areas with dead flora , which is a sign the poison has already turn over that surface area . Eruptions can also have secondary disasters , such as mudslides or tsunamis , which deepen the risks .
Your safest course of action of action for escaping an fighting volcano is to stay put aware of the potential danger and take all evacuation warning earnestly . And for the record , climb out of quicksand isa good skillto know , too .
