Applications in GIS, Lab 2: Lahars

In this week's lab, we focused on the specific natural hazard of lahars.  Lahars are defined as debris flows and/or mudflows created by volcanic activity.  By focusing on Mt. Hood, located in Oregon, we had to create a map showing the potential inundation zones of lahars.  Below, you can see a digital elevation map containing the three major rivers surrounding Mt. Hood.  This is also the probable path of the lahars.    

 With further study, additional data and various GIS tools used, we were able to pinpoint the schools and total population that would be affected by these lahars.  We used a .5 mile buffer of the inundation zones.  As you can see, the inundation zones are now color coded based on their population provided by the US Census.  I also included cities, major highways and railroads.  Schools that fall within the .5 mile buffer zone of the inundation areas were also labeled.

Maps like these can help in mitigation planning in the event of volcanic activity and could potentially save lives. These were established by using a variety of hydrology, math and other tools.