The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced that the Community Network for Volcanic Eruption Response (CONVERSE) conducted scenario exercises focused on a hypothetical volcanic emergency in Arizona's San Francisco Volcanic Field (SFVF) within the United States. A research paper was recently published in the Volcanica journal, with lead author Yolanda C. Lin, Yolanda C. Lin, UNM Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, and co-author Tobias Fischer, Tobias Fischer, UNM EPS Professor and lead Principal Investigator of CONVERSE, according to a press release by UNM.
Titled "Lessons learned from the 2022 CONVERSE Monogenetic Volcanism Response Scenario Exercise," the paper discusses a project that prioritized the establishment of connections and collaborations among volcano scientists. This aimed at bridging the gap between academic researchers and governmental organizations like the United States Geological Survey (USGS), said UNM in a press release.
"This research contributes to understanding how these types of scenario exercises develop a shared culture and sense of community within current and future volcano scientists," said Lin.
The research identified seven pivotal lessons derived from the scenario exercise. These were outlined in sections 6.1 to 6.7 of the published paper. The focus was on how scenario exercises can enhance inclusivity within the field of volcano science and eruption response, noted UNM in their press release.
"As part of CONVERSE, a catalyst center (NSF Award #223911), we have been able to continue our research focused on both the creation of and exercising of volcano eruption scenarios. We are planning to apply for additional funding that would continue to support this work, and continue to provide this training resource and community-building exercise for the volcano science community in the U.S." said Lin.
