Response: What to do during volcanic activity

If there has been a volcanic eruption in New Zealand, GeoNet will provide ash fall forecasts at geonet.org.nz/volcano. These will also be communicated in the media.

If ash fall has been forecast for your region:

• Before ash fall starts, if possible, go home to avoid exposure to, and driving during, ash fall.
• Move pets and pet water bowls indoors.
• If you have respiratory or heart conditions, keep your relief and preventer medication handy, and use as prescribed. If you have any concerns, call your doctor.
• Take steps to keep ash out of your house:
• Set up a single entry/exit point for your house. Place damp towels by the door to prevent ash being tracked indoors on your shoes.
• Close all remaining doors and windows.
• Close other entry points, such as cat doors and air vents.
• Shut down heat pumps and air conditioning units, to prevent ash from being blown indoors, and to prevent ash from damaging the units by clogging filters and corroding metal.
• Cover electronics and leave covered until the indoor environment is free of ash.
• Move vehicles and machinery under cover (if possible), or cover them, to avoid ash-causing corrosion damage.
• Cover spa pools and swimming pools, as ash can clog filters.
• Disconnect downpipes from gutters, to allow ash and water to empty from gutters onto the ground.
• Disconnect roof catchment rainwater storage tanks from downpipes, to prevent contamination.
• Seal any openings in water storage tanks (e.g. poorly-fitted covers), to prevent the entry of ash.
• Cover any open gully traps or drains with a sheet of plywood or similar, to prevent ash from entering the wastewater or stormwater systems.
• Cover vegetable gardens with tarpaulins, to prevent ash contamination.

Further information on how to prepare for ash fall is available on the International Volcanic Ash Impacts website.

Protecting livestock

• Move livestock to shelter, where possible. Airborne ash can cause eye and skin irritation and accumulate in sheep fleece.
• Ensure that animals have supplementary feed. Ash ingestion can be hazardous to livestock. It can cause physical problems such as tooth abrasion and gut blockages and toxicity problems such as fluorosis.
• Ensure livestock have access to clean drinking water. Cover open water troughs with a sheet of plywood or similar, to avoid contamination by ash fall.
• Further information on protecting livestock from ash fall is available on the Ministry for Primary Industries and International Volcanic Ash Impacts websites.

• Stay indoors.
• Keep pets indoors.
• Do not attempt to clear ash from your roof while ash is falling.
• Avoid non-essential driving. If you have to drive, drive slowly, maintain a safe following distance behind other traffic, use headlights on low beam, and avoid using wipers as ash can scratch windscreens.
• Put your emergency plan into action.
• Listen to the radio for updates and check your local Civil Defence Emergency Management’s Group’s website. Follow any instructions from emergency services, the Department of Conservation (for visitors to the Tongariro and Taranaki National Parks), local authorities and Civil Defence Emergency Management.
• Do not use unflued gas heaters indoors while your house is sealed to keep out ash, as there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use outdoor gas appliances indoors.

Protecting your health

• Reduce your exposure to ash, gases and aerosols by staying indoors. This is particularly important for high-risk groups (children, older adults and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis).
  • If you have been prescribed preventer medication, ensure you take it as advised by your doctor. Keep your reliever medication with you at all times.
• If you have to go outside, wear protective clothing: a properly-fitted P2 or N95 mask, goggles without side vents, strong footwear, gloves and clothing that covers your skin.
  • Be aware that masks can make breathing more difficult for some people. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure if you should wear a mask.
  • Masks do not fit smaller children well, so may offer little protection. Keep children indoors.
  • Do not wet masks as evidence shows this makes no difference to filtration efficiency.
  • Further information on respiratory protection in ash fall, including how to fit a dust mask correctly, is available on the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN) website.
• Do not wear contact lenses, because trapped ash can scratch your eyes. Wear glasses instead.
• Contact your doctor or Healthline (0800 611 116) if you have any concerns about your, or someone else’s, health.
  • People experiencing asthma symptoms even for the first time should not ignore them. Seek medical advice as soon as possible.
  • A severe asthma flare-up can vary in severity and can be life threatening. If there are signs that someone’s condition is deteriorating, call 111.

Protecting vehicles

Ash may damage vehicles by clogging filters, corroding metal surfaces, and causing abrasion damage to windscreens, paintwork, and moving engine parts.

• Keep vehicles under cover or covered as much as possible to avoid ash causing corrosion damage.
• Remove ash from car paintwork and windscreens by gently brushing with a soft brush and, if necessary, washing with water sparingly. Avoid rubbing as this can cause abrasion damage.
• Clean or replace air and oil filters regularly (every 80-160 kilometres in heavy ash or every 800-1600 kilometres in light ash).
• Apply lubricant/grease more frequently and check for wear regularly.

Further information on protecting vehicles and other machinery from ash fall is available on the International Volcanic Ash Impacts website.