Exposure-based risk assessment and emergency management associated with the fallout of large clasts at Mount Etna

A probabilistic hazard assessment at Mount Etna reveals that large-clast fallout from plume margins poses significant threats to visitors and infrastructure, extending risks beyond the typical 5 km proximity to vents. The study, using a calibrated particle sedimentation model, identified a 72 km² hazard zone encompassing 125 km of paths/roads and 15 buildings. Evacuation times could be reduced from nearly 4 hours to under 3 hours with two shelters, underscoring the need for integrated risk management strategies in volcanic areas with summit access.

Osman, S., Rossi, E., Bonadonna, C., Frischknecht, C., Andronico, D., Cioni, R., & Scollo, S. (2019). Exposure-based risk assessment and emergency management associated with the fallout of large clasts at Mount Etna. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 19(3), 589–610. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-19-589-2019