Kick-off meeting and 1st Workshop of the VOLCAN project

Key information

Description

1. Introduction

As part of the VOLCAN project (EC ECHO 101193100), the 1st Workshop on volcanic risk assessment and management was held on January 28 and 30, 2025, at the “Edificio de Usos Múltiples I” of the Government of the Canary Islands, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). These sessions aimed to present the project, its objectives, and methodology, as well as to explore the challenges and needs in volcanic risk management in the Canary Islands.

2. Objectives of the Workshop

The main purpose of these meetings was to:

1. Present the VOLCAN project and its objectives.
2. Introduce key concepts such as volcanic risk training.
3. Explain the technology used in the project and its applications.
4. Outline expected results and project deliverables.
5. Identify the needs of attendees regarding volcanic risk management.
6. Communicate the project’s development process and methodology.

3. Participants

The meetings were attended by representatives from various institutions involved in emergency management in the Canary Islands, including:

• Civil Protection of the Government of the Canary Islands.
• 112 Canarias and CECOES.
• General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands.
• Lanzarote Emergency Consortium.
• Civil Protection of the Tenerife Island Council.
• Civil Protection of the Gran Canaria Island Council.

The event was organized by Civil Protection in collaboration with Dr. Joan Martí, Dr. Marta López-Saavedra, and Marc Martínez-Sepúlveda. All three are members of the Natural Risk Assessment and Management Service (NRAMS) of the Institute of Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies (IDAEA-CSIC), part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and responsible for the VOLCAN project.

4. Meeting agenda

Tuesday, January 28

• 09:30h – Welcome and introductions.
• 10:00h – Presentation of the multi-hazard concept and its application to volcanic islands.
• 11:00h – Overview of volcanic risk.
• 13:00h – Presentation of the VOLCAN project.

Thursday, January 30

• 09:30h – Introduction to the Focus Group workshop with attendees.
• 10:00h – Presentation of the VOLCANBOX digital tool.
• 11:00h – Real-world application of the VOLCANBOX tool.
• 12:00h – Focus Group workshop to gather attendees' concerns and needs, followed by a discussion.
• 14:00h – Workshop closing and farewell.

Total: 540 minutes.

5. Results

The meetings emphasized the need to improve volcanic risk management in the Canary Islands. It was agreed that a dedicated project website would be created for information exchange and to provide access to presentations prepared by the NRAMS-IDAEA-CSIC team. The Focus Group workshop identified key problems and needs:

Main problems identified:

• Low public awareness of volcanic risk.
• Lack of tools for emergency management and prioritization of actions.
• Absence of a long-term volcanic risk management strategy.
• Shortage of specialized personnel and insufficient training. 
• Lack of continuity in volcanic risk management efforts.
• Weak coordination and communication between institutions.
• Disconnection between land-use planning and volcanic risk assessment.

Identified needs:

• Incorporating volcanic risk education into formal curricula.
• Providing continuous training for public administration professionals.
• Developing updated hazard maps and evacuation plans.
• Centralizing information from official sources.
• Conducting real-life evacuation drills with public participation.
• Implementing satellite technology for real-time monitoring.

Potential solutions:

• The VOLCANBOX tool meets identified needs, but its effectiveness depends on data quality.
• It will aid decision-making, particularly for evacuations and land-use planning.
• Specific training is required to use and interpret data effectively.
• Integrating risk maps with infrastructure and vulnerable populations data.
• Using simulations in cartography to enhance planning efforts.

6. Next Steps

As part of the project's development, future meetings will be held in El Hierro, La Palma, and Lanzarote (Canary Islands). These sessions will replicate parts of the Tenerife workshop, allowing other institutions to participate and share their needs and perspectives. By the project's completion in 2026, a comprehensive review of the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (PEVOLCA) is expected, integrating solutions that address the issues identified in these sessions.

7. Conclusion

The Tenerife meetings successfully identified key challenges in volcanic risk management and marked the first step toward developing concrete solutions within the VOLCAN project. The active participation of attendees was essential in shaping strategies for improvement and ensuring a more effective response to potential volcanic emergencies in the Canary Islands. The project will continue with further implementation and progress updates in upcoming meetings to ensure its effectiveness and practical application.

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