Hazard predictions for volcanic explosions

We have developed a method of producing hazard maps for volcanic eruptions using three-dimensional numerical simulations. Numerical simulations of shock-wave interactions with terrain were carried out assuming the volcanic explosion is analogous to point source explosions. The point source explosion model is coupled with scaling distances for pyroclastic-surge and ballistic fragments to produce hazard maps of the damage done both by shock waves and volcanic debris. The numerical method is applied to Iwatesan volcano, which recently became active. We demonstrate that the present method of producing hazard maps is useful for establishing better safety countermeasures for volcanic eruptions.