Volcano preparedness: What to know when lava starts to flow

Lava Flows Burning Vegetation / Tim Orr, U.S. Geological Survey

Residents of Hawaii’s Big Island are on alert this week as a hot stream of lava oozes its way from the Kilauea volcano. The lava is set to destroy houses and buildings in its path, and many residents have evacuated.

While lava is a threat to lives and property, there are other unhealthy and unsafe things about volcanoes. Smoke, gases, and ash are unhealthy for very young and older people because they can be irritating to breathe. If someone has asthma or lung problems, they can make things worse.

Other health hazards include burns and drinking water contamination. A volcanic eruption can lead to additional disasters, too, such as mudslides, floods, tsunamis and wildfires.

How can you protect yourself and family from a volcano?

• Become familiar with your community’s warning systems, evacuation routes and shelter locations well ahead of time.
• Create an emergency supply kit and have it ready to go in case of evacuation.
• Remain alert, listen and watch for information from authorities. Follow evacuation orders immediately and completely. 
• If you or someone in your family has lung disease, consider evacuating early, because the air may not be healthy to breath.
• If caught indoors during an eruption or if officials have ordered residents to shelter in place,  immediately close all windows, doors and ventilation sources; turn off air conditioning and heating systems; and move to an interior, windowless room that is above ground level.
• To protect yourself from falling volcanic ash, stay indoors and place damp towels in the spaces between the doors and the ground. If you go outside, wear long sleeves and pants, put on a disposable facemask and wear goggles.
• After an eruption, avoid driving in heavy ash fall.

Read our Get Ready volcano fact sheet for more tips on preparing for and staying safe during a volcanic eruption.

May is Volcano Preparedness Month

Would you know what to do if you were near a volcano that suddenly erupted? May is Volcano Preparedness Month in Washington state, so today we’re talking about what you can do to prepare for a volcanic eruption.

For many people who live in the U.S., volcanoes aren’t the first threat that comes to mind when people think of preparing for a natural disaster. But volcanoes are a bigger deal than you think: Our country is home to two of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world, and the U.S. Geological Survey monitors more than 160 volcanoes and former volcanoes in states that include Hawaii, Alaska and California.

Even if you don’t live near a volcano, you might end up near one if you ever take a vacation in Mexico, New Zealand, Italy or dozens of other countries. Are you convinced yet? Good! It’s time to get ready for a volcano.

• Start by making sure you have a general preparedness plan in place, including making an emergency kit, mapping an evacuation route, and discussing your plan with family members and loved ones.


• Listen to local TV and radio reports for updates about volcanic activity. If you are directed to evacuate after a volcano erupts, do so immediately.


• Add goggles and face masks to your emergency kits at home and in your car. One of the biggest problems after a volcano erupts is volcanic ash, which can spread in the air for many miles. If a volcano erupts in your vicinity and you’re outdoors, head inside, close all windows and doors, and stay inside until you are told it is safe to leave.

For more information about preparing for a volcano, check out our Get Ready fact sheet, available in English and Spanish (PDFs).

Learn more about where volcanoes are around the world from the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program.