April 2, 2009

Murkowski, Begich Introduce Legislation That Would Create a National Volcano Monitoring System

From a Murkowski/Begich press release:

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, joined by U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, today introduced a bill that would establish a national volcano early warning and monitoring system.

The bill would organize and upgrade the monitoring systems of volcano observatories, including the Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage and Fairbanks, around the United States. In addition, the measure would establish a national volcano watch office that would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and a national volcano data center. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) would coordinate the operation of the monitoring and data centers.

The bill would fund the monitoring system at $15 million annually. Along with state, university and other partners, the USGS currently operates volcanic observatories in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Washington and in Yellowstone National Park.

There are 169 hazardous volcanoes in the United States and its territories and since 1980, these volcanoes have claimed many lives and cost billions of dollars in property damage. In addition, ash eruptions pose a hazard to high flying jet aircraft. The ash eruptions from Mt. Redoubt alone threaten nearly 20,000 passengers who fly over Alaska each day.

The legislation would provide for upgrades and advances in the technologies used to monitor volcanoes including real-time satellite and physical monitoring on the ground. These upgrades would improve the ability to provide advance warnings of imminent volcanic activity to emergency and government agencies and communities in preparation for an eruption.

"Mt. Redoubt's recent eruptions have shown that it can impact life and commerce across Alaska quickly," said Murkowski. "This legislation provides the necessary funding and technology for all volcano observatories, including the AVO, to provide advanced warning of volcanic activity.

"In 1989, AVO was only able to provide a few days warning before Mt. Redoubt erupted. This year, AVO detected activity and notified the public two months before Redoubt erupted, thanks to advances in technology."

"The recent activity of Mt. Redoubt, and its continual disruption for passengers, business travelers, cargo, and more, drives home the need for reliable volcano monitoring," said Begich. "As Alaskans work to carry on with business as usual, having a constant flow of information about the volcano and its activities is invaluable. Volcano monitoring should have a predictable and adequate level of funding every year to ensure public safety and keep the public informed of the activity and potential of the 33 active volcanoes in Alaska."

The bill, S.782, was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where Senator Murkowski is the ranking Republican member.