The DomiDocs Guide to Volcano Eruption Preparedness

“People never believe in volcanoes until the lava actually overtakes them.”

– philosopher George Santayana

Many of us as homeowners like to go about our daily lives and neglect to recognize dangerous scenarios that can be lurking right in front of us, such as with a seemingly beautiful volcano set along the horizon. But unfortunately, the danger is real, so let’s make sure you’re well prepared.

 

Are You Ready For This

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Mount St. Helens, WA, is the most likely volcano in the Cascades to erupt again, with the average eruption interval being every 100–300 years. The USGS volcano threat assessment also ranks Kīlauea on the Big Island of Hawaii and Mount Rainier in Washington in the top 3 volcanoes that are most likely to erupt.

 

Volcano Stats

Why do volcanoes erupt? Although many factors contribute to a volcanic eruption, ScientificAmerican.com has identified 3 predominate triggers: 

  • the buoyancy of the magma (the molten/semi-molten material from which igneous rocks are made)
  • the pressure from the exsolved gases in the magma
  • the injection of a new batch of magma into an already filled magma chamber

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that, ”Volcanic eruptions can result in additional threats to health, such as floods, mudslides, power outages, drinking water contamination, and wildfires.”

While many of us routinely think of Hawaii when it comes to active volcanoes, it may be surprising to learn that 4 states have more volcanic activity than the Aloha State. According to WorldAtlas.com, these are the states with the most active volcanoes:

 

Volcano Eruption Categories Defined

The USGS explains that geologists categorize volcanic eruptions using several different factors including:

  • Eruption Types – volcanic eruptions can be steam-driven without the presence of magma; can include magma; or can result when ground/surface waters collide with magma
  • Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) – the VEI assigns a number value (from 0 to 8) to describe the magnitude and intensity of a volcanic eruption (see below)
  • Volcanic Style or Descriptive Classification
Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) Ejecta Volume km3 (mi3) Column Height km (mi) Description Volcano Types Historical Examples
0.00001 (0.000002)
<0.1 (0.06)
Effusive
Many shield volcanoes (noted for their low profile shield appearance)
Kilauea, Mauna Loa (Hawaii Volcanoes NP
1
0.001 (0.0002)
1 (0.6)
Severe
Many shield volcanoes/cinder cones (a steep conical formation)
2020: Kilauea, Mauna Loa (Hawaii Volcanoes NP
2
0.01 (0.002)
5 (3)
Explosive
Mostly cinder cones
2006: Fourpeaked (Katmai NP & Preserve)
3
0.1 (0.02)
15 (9)
Catastrophic
Mostly cinder cones
1912: Katmai (Katmai NP & Preserve)
4
1 (0.2)
25 (16)
Cataclysmic
Few cinder cones; composite volcanoes consisting of multiple layers
1931: Aniakchak NM
5
10 (2)
>25 (16)
Paroxysmal
Composite volcanoes
1980: Mount St. Helens
6
100 (20)
>25 (16)
Colossal
Calderas (cauldron-like hollow areas that are present after a magma chamber empties)
1912: Novarupta (Katmai NP & Preserve)
7
1,000 (200)
>25 (16)
Mega-colossal
Calderas
7,550 years ago: Mount Mazama (Crater Lake NP)
8
>1,000 (>200)
>25 (16)
Apocalyptic
Super volcanoes/calderas
640,000 years ago: Yellowstone NP

It’s important to note that every interval on the VEI scale represents a ten-fold increase in volcanic eruption size. Ready.gov states: “During a volcanic eruption, lava and other debris can flow at speeds of up to 100 mph, destroying everything in their path.”

Is There a Time of Year When Most Volcanic Eruptions Occur in the US

According to an article published in the scientific journal, Terra Nova, there’s a possibility that volcanic eruptions are linked to the Earth’s rotation rate, which varies seasonally by speeding up during summer in the northern hemisphere and slowing down in winter. So while there may not be an exact season, scientists can predict impending volcanic activity ranging from days to weeks in advance.

How DomiDocs Can Help You Navigate Through a Disaster

The key to weathering any natural disaster is preparation—knowledge and organization are your best tools. As a homeowner, taking proactive steps to protect your family and property before disaster strikes is essential. The secure, award-winning DomiDocs Homeowner Enablement Platform® helps you stay prepared by allowing you to:

  • Create a detailed home inventory – Upload receipts, photos, and videos documenting your home’s condition and contents to ensure an accurate record for insurance purposes.
  • Store and manage essential insurance documents – Use the Insurance Bundle feature to securely organize policies, including company details, coverage, cost, and policy start and end dates. A calendar timeline provides quick reference, and with one click, you can share documents with your insurance agent when filing a claim.
  • Prepare for and recover quickly from any disasters – Ensure quick and easy access to critical homeownership and insurance documents before and after a natural disaster. Use the Disaster Bundle to safely store everything from insurance policies and mortgage information to your home inventory list, photos & videos and emergency vendors—allowing you to recover faster when you need it most.
  • Stay ready for emergencies – Keep all your most important documents—such as IDs, medical records, financial statements, and emergency contacts—securely stored and instantly accessible. The Digital Go Bundle ensures you have everything you need in one place, whether you’re evacuating or managing post-disaster recovery.
  • Follow expert homeowner guidance – Access the comprehensive DomiDocs New Homeowner Guide, which offers best practices to help prevent insurance claims and keep your home in top condition.

By leveraging these tools, you’ll have the critical information you need at your fingertips, making it easier to recover and rebuild after a disaster.

The Basics of Volcano Eruption Preparedness

In short, the CDC, Ready.gov, and the American Red Cross state you should do the following basics:

Before a Volcanic Eruption, Take the Time To:
Determine your personal volcano risk.
Do you know if you live in a volcano-prone zone? Contact your local government/emergency planning office for shelter and evacuation plans. Be sure to sign up for the Volcano Notification Service which provides warnings about volcanic activity. The Hawaiian Islands have established January as Volcano Awareness Month.
Be aware of the risks a volcanic eruption can impose.

Exposure to ash can cause health problems, especially respiratory damage such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat areas. Along with ash, a volcanic eruption can bring about acid rain, spews of rock, lava, and dangerous gases. Water supplies can become contaminated. Reduced visibility will occur due to harmful gases and smog, especially in low-lying regions.

Know the difference between volcano facts & fiction.

The American Red Cross has identified 4 common misconceptions about volcanoes:

  1. Fiction: Volcanoes erupt regularly. 

      Fact: While volcanoes experience periods of closely spaced eruptions followed by longer periods of quiet, most volcanoes display no regularity in eruptions.,

  1.   Fiction: Volcanoes are unpredictable and erupt without warning

      Fact: Volcanoes exude warning signs of eruption weeks to months in advance

  1.   Fiction: Lava flows are one of the most damaging hazards from volcanoes.

      Fact: This is true for Hawaii, however volcanic ash and mudflows are more prominent hazards outside Hawaii.

  1.   Fiction: Volcanic eruptions can be caused by earthquakes.

      Fact: An earthquake signals a geologically active landscape but it does not cause a volcanic eruption.

Develop an evacuation plan.

Every member of your family needs to know what your homeowner evacuation plan is. Where will you go? How will you get there? What optional evacuation routes will you have if your initial choice is blocked? Where will you stay? Knowing these basics in advance can help stem panic during an actual natural disaster situation. Have a to-go bag in place with all the supplies you’ll need, including items for your pets. If you’ll need assistance in traveling, you’ll need to confirm with someone in advance. And be sure to follow any evacuation orders that have been issued. As a family, discuss how you can help your neighbors during a natural disaster by checking in or helping them evacuate as well. Let your family and friends know you’re safe by using the American Red Cross Emergency! app/website.

Assemble disaster supplies for your family members and your pets.

A volcanic eruption will bring about an onslaught of ash and dangerous gases, so be sure to have a supply of N-95 respirators and goggles on hand for every member of your family.

The American Red Cross recommends gathering 2 emergency supply kits:

  1. A Go-Kit: with a 3-day supply of items you can carry with you, including chargers for your devices (cell phone, wheelchair, CPAP, etc.) and backup batteries; as well as non-perishable food, water, and medications. Cash is also important to have on hand as ATMs may not be working/accessible. 
  2. A Stay-at-Home Kit: with a 2-week supply of the above items.

NOAA recommends adding the following to round out your emergency disaster supply kits, where applicable:

  • masks, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer
  • non-prescription medicine such as antacids, anti-diarrhea, and pain relievers
  • contact lens solution/prescription eyeglasses
  • baby bottles, formula, wipes, diapers, and diaper rash cream
  • feminine hygiene supplies
  • sleeping bags/blankets
  • a change of clothing for each family member, including sensible footwear
  • fire extinguisher
  • matches in a fireproof container
  • mess kit with plates, utensils, cups, and paper towels
  • activities for kids like puzzles, games, or books
Review/update your homeowner insurance policy.

It’s estimated that 40% of Americans can’t find an important household document when needed, so the first step is to upload your vital household documents to our user-friendly digital platform, so there’s easy access 24/7/365. Secondly, reassess your homeowner policy to ensure you have the best coverage to fit your needs. Compare the cost and coverage that you have in place, to what else is available from your current insurer and other companies. If there have been any major additions to your home and/or contents in the last year, it’s time to review your homeowner insurance policy to ensure it’ll cover your new additions. It’s good to know that according to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowner insurance policies will cover property loss/damage caused by a volcanic eruption including fire, lava flows, ash, a volcanic blast, and/or airborne shockwaves.

Make your home disaster-resistant.

Depending on where you live across America, insurance companies may reward your efforts in making your home disaster-resistant by offering discounted homeowner insurance premiums. Think storm shutters, reinforced roofing with hurricane clips/materials, and sump pumps. Upgraded plumbing systems can lessen the risk of water damage.

Have supplies on hand to make emergency repairs.

Such supplies can include plastic sheeting, tarps, sandbags, and/or plywood, plus the necessary tools to apply these to your home like a staple gun and/or duct tape

Complete a written disaster plan.

Now that you’ve got everything in place, there’s no better way to solidify it than by making a written plan, which should include regularly practicing your escape route, and maintaining your disaster prep plan supplies by replacing expired items. Ensure your plan includes a contact list, with at least one contact who lives outside the impacted area; share your disaster plan with family and friends.

Take the time to emergency life-saving skills.
The American Red Cross recommends that adults and kids around the age of nine learn first aid and CPR skills.

Ready.gov, the American Red Cross, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following:

When an Impending Volcano Eruption is Heading Your Way:
Turn off all air conditioning and heating systems/fans; close the fireplace damper.
Close and lock all doors and windows. Place damp towels around doors and windows to help keep the ash out. Take shelter in an interior room without windows that are above ground level. And if you’re not in your home, don’t return until officials say it’s safe to do so.
Fuel your vehicles. Do not drive in heavy ash conditions. If you must, don’t use the air conditioning.
Store your vehicles and machinery under cover in a garage or barn to help protect them from damaging ash, which can cause clogged air-filtration systems leading to engine failure, and extra wear when small ash particles enter your engine or transmission systems.
Proactively shut off your electricity, gas, and water utilities.
Move any livestock or animals into closed shelters to help protect them from falling ash.
Double-check your emergency supplies including bottled water, plus battery-operated flashlights and a radio.
Stay far away from areas that are downwind/downstream from the volcano as ash and debris will be carried by gravity and wind.
Monitor local news reports and emergency alerts.
If there’s a buildup of ash on your roof after an eruption, do not try to remove it yourself unless you’re trained to do so; ash is very slippery and can add overloaded weight to your roof. It’s best to call in a professional for roof clean-up.

Navigating Insurance Claims: What Every Homeowner Should Know

When you’re facing the aftermath of a natural disaster, working with your insurance company is an inevitable part of the recovery process. DomiDocs® CEO and Founder, William McKenna advises homeowners to carefully review their insurance company’s initial settlement offer, as it may not fully cover all damages. Many experts recommend assessing the offer to ensure it aligns with your policy coverage.

What should you do? Access your personal profile on the DomiDocs® home management platform to easily submit your documented receipts, photos, and videos to your insurance adjuster with just one click. Before accepting a settlement, take the time to consider all potential losses, including missed wages, medical expenses (both current and future), vehicle repairs, and any other damages. Being thorough can help ensure you receive the full coverage you’re entitled to under your policy.

DomiDocs has your back! Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, flood, or fire, the DomiDocs Resouce Page: How To File An Insurance Claim is here to guide you through the claims and recovery process.

Take Control of Your Homeownership Journey with DomiDocs®

Managing your home shouldn’t be stressful. DomiDocs® empowers homeowners with innovative technology, expert guidance, and unparalleled organization—all within a secure, cloud-based platform. From protecting your property and finances to streamlining essential tasks, our tools help you save time, reduce expenses, mitigate costly risks, and maximize your home’s value.

Explore the DomiDocs suite of solutions:

  • Homeowner Enablement Platform® – A centralized, digital hub for organizing documents, tracking home value, and managing property details effortlessly.
  • HomeLock™ – Protects your home from fraud and title theft with 24/7 monitoring and instant alerts.
  • TrueValueIndex® – Provides real-time insights into your home’s value to help you make informed financial decisions.
  • propRtax® – Identifies potential property tax savings and ensures you’re not overpaying.
  • Documenting for Disaster® – Securely stores critical homeownership documents, ensuring quick access before and after a disaster.

 

Join the home management revolution today and experience the confidence that comes with having everything you need in one place.

Author – Connie Motz