A global review of disaster reduction initiatives - Welcome to the ...

A second initiative to disseminate more volcanologicalinformation more widely alsoinvolves public electronic access. It is widelyknown that volcanic eruptions affect peopleand things in often predictable ways, but informationabout these effects has been spotty andnot relayed systematically from the site of oneeruption to the next. Many lessons are unnecessarilyrelearned, and further research elsewhereis impeded by others rediscovering basicknowledge derived from previous global experience.Efforts are currently underway toupdate a global compendium that will compileBuilding understanding: development of knowledge and information sharingcurrent information about the effects of volcaniceruptions - including practical tips fortheir mitigation. This will be placed on theInternet for easy access from nearly any countryand allow, for example, a water supply engineerand rice agronomist in one country tolearn from the prior experience of a water supplyengineer and rice agronomist in anothercountry, within minutes. Pictures will illustratethe problems, while text will provide detailsand suggest possible mitigation measures.4175