Methodology for the construction of earth barriers to divert lava flows: the Mt. Etna 1983 eruption |
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| Authors: | R Colombrita |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Road, Rail and Airport Construction, Faculty of Engineering, University of Catania, Italy
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| Abstract: | This paper gives a critical analysis of the technical solutions adopted for erecting earthworks to divert lava flows on the basis of the experience obtained recently during the 1983 eruption of Mount Etna. The purpose of the paper is to explain questions of general nature and throw light on problems that must still be solved, which render it difficult to extrapolate the adopted solutions to other volcanic eruptions having radically different characteristics. An account of the earthworks made at the various sites to the east and the west of the lava flow is given, and an analysis is made of the planning choices, the decisions taken during the work, the daily output and thence the relative costs. The works carried out are summarized in Table 1 giving characteristics and costs of the works and times and sizes of the equipments used. The following works were carried out: 4 barriers for a total length of ca. 1700 m with a height variable from 8 to 20 m. 2 channels for a total length of 1000 m. many emergency measures during night and day-time also on fresh lava. During 50 days of 13 working hours per day a total volume of ca. 750,000 m3 of material was moved and ca. 10 km of service roads were built. The total cost of the above mentioned works was 3,678 millions of Italian liras. The final result fulfilled the planning forecasts: all the earthworks erected carried out their task of guiding and diverting the lava flows. Amongst other things, the study of the evolution of eruption has shown that preventive and emergency works can successfully be programmed. Finally, the technological aspects of the works are discussed with particular reference to their planning, site organization, determination of type and number of vehicles to be employed, output to expect and thus, for a correcta priori estimate of the advantage-cost ratio, a forecast of the expenses involved. The paper aims at giving information that may be of use during emergency situations and at stimulating the study of an operations program for mitigating the effects of lava flows in areas of volcanic risk. |
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