Industrial hazards associated with eruptions of Etna

The recent event of Icelandic volcano has focused worldwide attention on the effects of ash fallout in areas prone to this kind of natural phenomenon. In Italy, in the period 2001-2004, Mt. Etna volcano has manifested many times eruptions with great emission of ash. As a consequence, significant problems for the resident population, road/rail and air traffic and production activities have occurred. This paper describes the main objectives of a research project aimed at defining the potentially critical scenarios on industrial installations and infrastructures due to eruptions of Mt. Etna. The presence of the industrial area of Catania and the industrial site of Augusta-Priolo, close to the volcano, has evidenced the necessity of a specific risk analysis related to the industrial hazards associated with volcanoes. The activities presented in this work have been addressed to the analysis of the structural effects, service interruption and malfunction associated with the fallout of ash on industrial installations and infrastructure.