Description:

The Volcano Hazards Project for Central America was proposed to ICSU as a result of an initiative of OVSICORI, INGEOMINAS and VDAP. The funding corresponding to the year 2002 will be spend in sponsoring the participation of Central Americans and Colombians in the VIII Field Workshop on Volcanic Gases. In addition, as an activity under the ICSU Volcano Hazard Project, it has been proposed to conduct a group session oriented towards volcano monitoring interests in Central American, Colombia and neighboring countries. The purpose is to describe the gas/fluid volcano monitoring that is taking place in each institution/country and to characterize the work that is done with external collaborators in each country or institution.

Goals:

To compile a short report describing the state of volcanic gas/fluid monitoring that is taking place in each Central America country and the collaboration conducted with external collaborators identifying where the potential gaps might be. This report is aimed for soliciting external assistance in order to set up regional efforts in gas/fluid volcano monitoring in Central America, Colombia and neighboring countries.

This session will be open to Central American and neighboring country participants, in addition to participants from abroad working in Central America with volcano monitoring objectives. Volcano monitoring institutions in Central America and participants from abroad working in Central America are expected to contribute with talks/abstracts or posters/abstracts of their present and planned future activities following the general guideline provided below.

Oral presentations: (abstracts and short talks) by participant institutions that typically will include:

1. A description of the gas/fluid volcano monitoring that is practiced in each institution or country. It is important to describe how many and how often samples are collected, how many sites are monitored, which analytes are regularly measured in the lab, which equipment and analytical methods are used, personnel available for sampling and laboratory work (time assigned, permanent or interin personnel). For how long base lines have been measured. Examples of data sets showing how often, how many samples and for how long have been collected and analyzed are welcome in the presentation.
2. A description of the gas/fluid volcano monitoring that is done (institution/country) with collaboration of external parties (institutions, individuals). It will be convenient to have similar information as for 1. regarding external collaborators.

Poster Session (abstracts and posters):

Abstracts and posters to be submitted following the guidelines of the 8’th Workshop. Contributions could be send to the session even if a participant will not be present. The aim is to have as much pertinent information gathered as possible.

Panel: A panel will be organized to discuss the following questions with the purpose of constructing a shared strategy for the development of gas/fluid volcano monitoring in the region (Central America, Colombia and neighbors?)

1. Do we need collaboration and exchange between Volcano Monitoring Institutions in our region? What kind of collaboration is needed regarding the gas/fluid volcano monitoring?
2. What kind of initiatives should we develop in our region to obtain external assistance for regional efforts in gas/fluid volcano monitoring and to benefit all the countries involved?
3. Do we need a working group in gas/fluid volcano monitoring and associated environmental contamination in our region? Do we need to keep in touch and exchanging information?

Interested participants should write to:

1. Complete name:
2. Affiliation:
3. Mailing address:
4. Email address:
5. Abstract title:
6. Talk or Poster:
7. Will participate in the session:
8. Please send your abstract as an attachment to the above mentioned address before March 15, 2003