Volcanic hazard maps are visual, spatial depictions of the areas that could be potentially impacted by volcanic phenomena. They can represent a common reference point for discussion and mitigation of volcanic risk when developed, communicated, and used appropriately, as they put all parties quite literally “on the same page” of hazard information. Although most volcanic hazard maps show similar types of content, such as hazard footprints, they vary greatly in input data, communication style, appearance, visual design and their purpose.
The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazard and Risk has a working group dedicated to hazard mapping and discussing how we can best use maps to communicate hazard in the future. This session welcomes research around the development, use and effectiveness of volcanic hazard and risk maps. We encourage submissions that address new and novel techniques and frameworks used to develop maps for long term hazard assessment and for use during volcanic crises, comparisons between versions of hazard maps at a single volcano, and experiences regarding how hazard maps are interpreted and used by diverse audiences during volcanic activity. We also welcome case studies where stakeholders have been engaged during the map making process, highlighting what worked and what did not, as well as examples of where event trees and expert elicitation have been used to inform hazard maps. The session aims to provide an overview of what hazard and risk maps could look like in the future, based on examples from around the world.