VOLCANBOX: a new software platform to minimise volcanic risk

Abstract

One of the most important tasks of modern volcanology is to minimise the risk of volcanic eruptions. Their impact can affect considerably human life and the environment. It is clear that a volcanic eruption, although it can be at the same time fascinating and impressive, presents similar or even more problems than more frequent natural events. It is possible to live near a volcanic area if we consider the benefits that volcanoes can gives us, but it is important to be aware of the existing threat and to know how to minimise the risk. Understanding the potential evolution of a volcanic crisis is crucial for designing effective mitigation strategies. In this work we present an integrated software platform specially designed to assess and manage volcanic risk, VOLCANBOX. This new platform contains user-friendly free e-tools able to be used with personal computers specifically addressed to long- and short-term hazard assessment, vulnerability analysis, decision-making, and volcanic risk management. E-tools are developed in QGIS, the more widely used free open source Geographic Information System, and are designed to be implemented before an emergency, to identify optimum mitigating actions and how these may change as new information is obtained. Furthermore, e-tools contained in the VOLCANBOX allow to identify the most appropriate probabilistic and statistical techniques for volcanological data analysis and treatment in the context of quantitative hazard and risk assessment. Forecasting volcanic eruptions and predicting the most probable scenarios are subjected to a high degree of uncertainty, which needs to be quantified and clearly explained when transmitting scientific information to decision makers.