Purpose
Hazard maps can also be classified according to their primary intended purpose. The list below summarizes the map purpose categories used in the database. It can often be difficult to ascertain the map purpose unless explicitly stated or unless certain obvious design choices were made. As such, most maps with unknown purpose are designated as multi-purpose. We welcome corrections from map-makers on intended purpose designations!
Hazard awareness: Some maps are primarily aimed at educating the audience about the extent and probability of volcanic hazard. Examples include: Popocatépetl, Mexico (2016) and Jefferson, USA (2014). A full list of maps from the database primarily intended for hazard awareness can be found here.
Land-use planning: Some maps are primarily aimed at informing the citing of facilities, building restrictions, resource management, and/or infrastructure development. Examples include: Tungurahua, Ecuador (2008), Southern Peru (2003), and Campi Flegrei, Italy. A full list of maps primarily intended for land-use planning can be found here.
Crisis management and response: Some maps have the primary purpose of assisting with management of and response to an eruption. These maps often include evacuation routes, access restrictions, actions to take, etc. Examples include: Ruapehu, New Zealand; Sakurajima, Japan (2013); and Nevados de Chillán, Chile (2019). A full list of maps primarily intended for crisis management or response can be found here.
Situational awareness: Some maps are intended for the situational awareness of federal or international governments or aid organizations. These maps are often derived or simplified from other hazard maps. Examples include: Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia (2012); Mayon, Philippines (2009); and Merapi, Indonesia (2010). A full list of maps that have been adapted for situational awareness can be found here.
Scientific interest: Some maps are published in academic journals for research purposes and general scientific interest. Examples include: Karthala, Comoros (2019); Vesuvius, Italy (2016); and Okataina, New Zealand (2015). A full list of maps intended for scientific interest can be found here.
Multi-purpose: Most maps have not been specifically tailored to any one purpose, or are intended to serve all the above functions, and thus are intended for multiple purposes. Examples include: Hood, USA (1997); Galeras, Colombia (2014); and Soputan, Indonesia (2006). A full list of multi-purpose maps can be found here.
Audience
The primary intended audience of a map often relates to the intended purpose. Many maps are not clearly tailored to any one audience or appear to be tailored to multiple audiences (e.g. Lamongan, Indonesia, 2015). Maps where the intended audience is not clear from the text or design choices are designated as multi-audience in the database. We welcome corrections from map-makers on intended audience designations!
Other audience categories used in the database include the general public and the media (e.g. Cayambe, Ecuador 2019; Ambae, Vanuatu, 2001); tourists or visitors (e.g. Kirishimadake, Japan, 2019); land-use planners such as local or regional government officials and city planners (e.g. Reventador, Colombia, 2011); civil authorities, such as emergency managers, civil protection, first responders (e.g. San Martín, Mexico, 2018); international aid or relief groups (e.g. Lokon, Indonesia, 2012); or scientists (e.g. Yellowstone, USA, 2014).