Information About Volcanic Ash Fallout

The Volcanic Ash website states that "Volcanic ash consists of tiny jagged pieces of rock and glass. Ash is hard, abrasive, mildly corrosive, conducts electricity when wet, and does not dissolve in water." Volcanic ash fallouts happen after a volcanic eruption and can persist for hours or days. During an ashfall, daylight can turn into darkness, and power and communications can be disrupted. To learn more about ashfalls and to read eyewitness accounts of severe ashfalls, visit the Volcanic Ash website. Ashfall can also cause considerable economic damage to property owners and businesses. For example, if heavy ash fall continues for 12-60 hours or more, the weight of te ash may cause roofs to collapse. The 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption caused over $850 million in damages from timber loss, infrasctucture damage and property loss. This document, compiled by Chris Jonientz-Trisler, FEMA Region 10, summarizes reports of damage caused by ashfall from the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption.

Mitigation Information for Volcanic Ash Fallouts

Volcanic Ashfall: how to be prepared for an ashfall is a brochure from the Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division that details the steps that homeowners can take to prepare for an ashfall, and what steps to take during and after an ashfall to protect their family and property.

Comprehensive information for households, businesses and communities on what to do before, during and after an ashfall from the Volcanic Ash website.

Volcanic Ash Effects and Mitigation is a report prepared after the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption, which details techniques for mitigating the effects of volcanic ash on selected categories of critical equipment for businesses and first air responders.