Project PO ACORES 2020-2015-ERUPÇÃO

The general objective of the project is to increase quality scientific production oriented towards intelligent specialization, to assess the impact of a volcanic eruption on the economy of the sea, tourism and agriculture, having in order to identify and create mechanisms to mitigate the risk of rupture or collapse of the regional economic and social welfare system, in the event of an event of this nature. In practical terms, it will make it possible to define the parameters and appropriate measures for the preparation of Special Emergency Civil Protection Plans (PEEPC) for the volcanic risk in the Azores, a type of instrument that does not exist in the region and that is indispensable for its sustainable development. .

In recent years there have been countless examples of volcanic eruptions whose socio-economic impact has been felt at regional, national and global scales. Over its five centuries of history, the Azores have known about 30 volcanic eruptions, some of which have significant repercussions, and a future event will certainly have consequences that could result in the rupture or even collapse of the region's economic and social system for a long period of time. Since the economy of the sea, tourism and agriculture are core vectors of regional development, it is important to assess their vulnerability to volcanic hazards in order to mitigate the risk. The lack of special civil protection emergency plans in this area demonstrates that the Region is not prepared to face an event of this nature and justifies the need for the study. The project, based on simulations carried out in an active central volcano to be selected, will make it possible to create a prototype that can be transferred to other active volcanoes in the Azores and identify the parameters and measures to be considered in the elaboration of such plans.

Overall, the project involves bibliographic research and collection of elements on volcanic history, natural disasters, land use planning, economic activities, various censuses and statistical information of a general and specific nature. Additionally, different methodologies will be used at the level of the various scientific areas whose application is necessary for the study. In the field of volcanology, cartography and stratigraphy, georeferencing and probabilistic models based on geographic information systems will be used for the development of computer simulations and the creation of eruptive scenarios. The economic and social assessment of the natural resources affected by the modeled events will be based on appropriate methods for the economic valuation of natural resources.

This project will produce several results, namely: databases and cartography of the exposed elements within the scope of the economy of the sea, tourism and agriculture; susceptibility maps for volcanic fall products and for volcanic flow products; Scientific publications; participation in national and international scientific events with a view to disseminating the scientific results of the project; organization of scientific meetings/seminars/conferences to disseminate the scientific results of the project; computational application for the creation of risk scenarios for the elaboration of Civil Protection Special Emergency Plans for volcanic eruptions.