![[Visit Client Website]](/img/gsa/banner.jpg)
Paper No. 153-63
Presentation Time: 9:00 AM-6:30 PM
USING GIS TO CREATE HAZARD MAPS AND ASSES EVACUATION ROUTS AROUND "THE GATE TO HELL"; MASAYA VOLCANO, NICARAGUA
The volcano Masaya located near Managua, Nicaragua is part of a newer volcanic arc system derived from the Cocos plate subducting beneath the Caribbean plate. Masaya exhibits an anomalously mafic composition for the arc. The recent cycle of volcanism began 7000 years ago with lava flows and degassing events leading up to climactic Vulcanian eruptions. These eruptions have produced lava flows, ash flows, and ash falls that affect the many underdeveloped communities around Masaya. These communities are in need of a simple map and action plan to use during an eruption emergency. While evacuation routes are in place, there are no known secondary options. Through the EDGE Program at Southern Utah University, we visited the study area to gather data by taking GPS Coordinates to create an evacuation route and hazard map to help prepare the surrounding communities. Preliminary maps were created using GIS software. With this information we were able to confirm possible alternative routes and hazardous areas. Thematic maps were compiled with three options. Option A, the preferred route. Option B, the secondary route with contained sections of caution, and option C that is not recommended. Our preliminary research of prior eruptions also gave us sufficient data to create hazard zones. With confirming research at the study site and our preliminary data, our map contains four zones of hazards. In gradients of red, orange, yellow, and green. Red being the most hazardous to green being the least. By consolidating our research and field data, these maps give the communities surrounding Masaya more insight as to the behavior of the eruptions. This gives the surrounding population options in evacuating areas and more knowledge about their environment. It is our hope that this work will make the hazards of Masaya more recognizable to the local communities.