OR/14/005 Summary

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These articles presents the results of a pilot study on volcanic hazard analysis in Tanzania with a case study on Mt Meru to investigate potential future research needed to improve our knowledge of past and present volcanic activity in Tanzania and the inherent risks. This work was conducted alongside the Geological Survey of Tanzania by the BGS Volcanology Team to investigate potential collaborative research projects for the future. Existing data is compiled on volcanoes, volcanic hazards and population statistics within Tanzania as well as in-country monitoring and hazard management methods to evaluate the relative risk posed by volcanic activity. Outputs from this work are being compiled as the volcano contribution to the Global Assessment Report for 2015 (GAR15) published by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) alongside profiles for all countries hosting active volcanoes.

Initial research was conducted on Mt Meru as a case study of a potentially active high risk volcano, identified as a hotspot due to it’s proximity to a major population centre. Members of the BGS Volcanology Team conducted interviews with the Geological Survey of Tanzania and the Tanzanian Meteorological Agency to build an understanding of monitoring, communication, science advice and data flow for hazard management. Analysis of the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program and the LaMEVE (Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions) databases provide an overview of the distribution, occurrence and character of volcanic hazards in Tanzania. New data from Mt Meru provides an overview of past eruption history and first order analyses of volcanic risk. Finally, we provide a series of recommendations for integrating efforts to facilitate real-time monitoring and develop plans to enable effective response to volcanic eruptions.