Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
A. House Evacuation
When a warning is given by the ICP that an eruption in Katla is starting residents and
their guests must evacuate within 30 min (15 min for Sólheimar) to the nearest evacu-
ation center.
- Get the first aid kit, follow this list and secure or collect the valuables you want
to take with you.
- Unplug all electrical equipment as well as antennas.
- Set household heaters to a minimum temperature.
- Remove fencing from the house and unplug all electric fences from the house
electricity.
- In the space provided indicate how many people have evacuated from this
property and the number of vehicles used to evacuate. Fasten this sign on the
predetermined spot.
- Check on neighbors if possible and share vehicles to avoid unnecessary traffic.
Use vehicles that can drive faster than 50 km/hr.
- Call 112 if there has been an accident or if you need help.
- It is not possible to move animals due to short evacuation time (30 min, except
for Sólheimar 15 min).
For animals that are housed, open the house and pen for all animals except bulls.
Open gates and ensure that they can fl ee to higher ground.
For animals that are outside, open gate and/or cut fences so that they can fl ee to
higher ground.
-
Go straight to the nearest evacuation center and register.
-
Listen to announcements and news on radio.
Number of people evacuated from house: Number of vehicles used for evacuation:
B. Precautions due to subglacial eruptions (back left hand side)
During an eruption in Myrdalsjökull those staying in the hazard area should think of
the following:
1. Jökulhlaup, tephra fall, and lightning within the plume usually follow a subgla-
cial eruption. Jökulhlaup can go down Myrdalssandur, Sólheimasandur, or the
Markarfljót.
2. You should be very careful not enter areas of tephra fall as it can be completely
dark even during the day. You should be observant of weather changes and
forecast of tephra fall.
3. Always stay on the side of the volcano in the direction of the wind. Avoid deep
topographical depressions due to the accumulation of poisonous gases.
4. If you happen to be in tephra fall use a moist cloth to cover your mouth and
nose. Remember that the shortest distance from the ash plume is transverse to
the wind direction.
