Parks Stewardship Forum

Volcanoes are true wonders of the planet. Managers of volcanic protected areas face the dual challenge of protecting the volcanic landscape from overuse and damage, and protecting visitors and local residents from the range of geophysical risks presented by volcanic activity. Without clear recognition of how the volcano works, there is the potential that the risk of hazardous conditions (e.g., eruptions, gas emissions, fumarolic activity, landslides, seismic activity, and other volcanic hazards) may not be adequately addressed in the site’s management plan. Two examples illustrate current best practice in response to this management challenge. Managers at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument face a decision on what civil engineering measures to take in response to a large lake formed by a debris avalanche during the 1980 eruption that poses catastrophic flood and debris flow risks to more than 50,000 downstream residents. Managers of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in Hawai‘i faced imminent threats to residents of the island during eruptions of Kīlauea volcano in 2018 and 2020, which also destroyed a research observatory and park visitor facilities. The management response was to fully close the area near the volcanic vent and move the research center to the city of Hilo, 30 miles northeast of the Kīlauea summit.