Towards the development of the first permanent volcano observatory in Argentina

Argentina is a country that presents a complex situation regarding volcanic risk, where a total of 38 volcanoes are considered active. Although Argentina has no major cities close to these volcanoes, the continuous increase in economic activity and infrastructure near the Andean Codillera will incre...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Volcanica
Main Authors: Sebastian Garcia, Gabriela Badi
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Volcanica 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.30909/vol.04.S1.2148
https://doaj.org/article/c6d1b79724854dbbaaf83de9ffd48372
Description
Summary:Argentina is a country that presents a complex situation regarding volcanic risk, where a total of 38 volcanoes are considered active. Although Argentina has no major cities close to these volcanoes, the continuous increase in economic activity and infrastructure near the Andean Codillera will increase exposure to volcano hazards in the future. Further, volcanic activity on the border between Argentina and Chile poses a unique challenge in relation to volcano monitoring and the management of volcanic emergencies. Additionally, due to atmospheric circulation patterns in the region (from West to East), Argentina is exposed to ashfall and ash dispersion from frequent explosive eruptions from Chilean volcanoes. Considering this, the Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino (SEGEMAR) decided to create and implement a Volcanic Threat Assessment Program, which includes the creation of the the first permanent volcano observatory for the country, the Observatorio Argentino de Vigilancia Volcánica (OAVV). Previously the Decepcion Island volcano observatory was created as a collaboration between the Instituto Antártico Argentino (IAA) and the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN) from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Argentina es un país que presenta una compleja situación con respecto al riesgo volcánico, donde un total de 38 volcanes son considerados activos. Aunque Argentina no tiene ciudades importantes cerca de estos volcanes, el continuo incremento de la actividad económica y la infraestructura cerca de la Cordillera de los Andes, generará en el futuro un aumento en la exposición a estos peligros. Además, la actividad volcánica en la frontera entre Argentina y Chile constituye un desafío único en relación con el monitoreo de volcanes y la gestión de emergencias volcánicas. Adicionalmente, debido a los patrones de circulación atmosférica en la región (desde el oeste hacia el este), Argentina está expuesta a la caída y dispersión de cenizas de las frecuentes erupciones explosivas de volcanes ...