Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DARESSALAAM66
2009-02-02 03:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Cable title:
Tanzania Volcano Assessment: No current threat
how-toVZCZCXRO0336 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHDR #0066 0330308 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 020308Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8227 INFO RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 2787 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 3303 RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 1231 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1136 RUEHDS/USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA
UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000066
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E FOR JLIDDLE, OES
DEPARTMENT PASS USAID FOR OFDA
INTERIOR PASS USGS FOR SKIMBLE
NAIROBI PASS USAID/OFDA
ADDIS FOR REO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ETRD ENRG EAGR SENV TPHY TRGY TZ
SUBJECT: Tanzania Volcano Assessment: No current threat
Ref: 2008 DAR ES SALAAM 864
UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000066
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E FOR JLIDDLE, OES
DEPARTMENT PASS USAID FOR OFDA
INTERIOR PASS USGS FOR SKIMBLE
NAIROBI PASS USAID/OFDA
ADDIS FOR REO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ETRD ENRG EAGR SENV TPHY TRGY TZ
SUBJECT: Tanzania Volcano Assessment: No current threat
Ref: 2008 DAR ES SALAAM 864
1. A three-person technical assistance team from the USAID/OFDA and
USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP),responding to an
urgent request from President Kikwete (reftel),completed its
assessment visit on the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano on January 28.
Team representative Gari Mayberry, presenting the team's findings to
Kikwete, explained that the low-level activity occurring at the
volcano, with lava flows constrained in the summit crater, poses no
current threat to the people living in close proximity to the
volcano.
2. The VDAP team had two levels of recommendations for the GOT based
on their preliminary assessment. First level recommendations,
achievable with minimal resources, would include an education
component for residents in close proximity to the volcano; an
emergency action plan; a paid watchperson to alert authorities and
contact the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) when
explosive activity occurs; and sending members of the Geological
Survey of Tanzania to volcano-monitoring and risk communication
training. Level two recommendations would involve more substantial
and long-term investments, including establishing an Observatory and
use of volcano-monitoring equipment.
3. The VDAP team praised the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) for
its assessment and preliminary recommendations. Though the GST
lacks extensive volcanological experience and monitoring equipment,
its assessment was thorough. The VDAP team proposed changing the
GST's expansive danger zone to be more focused on areas that are
most impacted by eruptions, but otherwise was in agreement.
Mayberry gave President Kikwete a copy of the Draft Report of
Findings and said the team would be working in collaboration with
the GST over the next couple of weeks to issue a final report.
4. Embassy thanks the Department, USGS and USAID/OFDA for their
rapid response to the urgent request from the President Kikwete, who
personally expressed his appreciation to CDA and VDAP representative
for USG support.
ANDRE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E FOR JLIDDLE, OES
DEPARTMENT PASS USAID FOR OFDA
INTERIOR PASS USGS FOR SKIMBLE
NAIROBI PASS USAID/OFDA
ADDIS FOR REO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ETRD ENRG EAGR SENV TPHY TRGY TZ
SUBJECT: Tanzania Volcano Assessment: No current threat
Ref: 2008 DAR ES SALAAM 864
1. A three-person technical assistance team from the USAID/OFDA and
USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP),responding to an
urgent request from President Kikwete (reftel),completed its
assessment visit on the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano on January 28.
Team representative Gari Mayberry, presenting the team's findings to
Kikwete, explained that the low-level activity occurring at the
volcano, with lava flows constrained in the summit crater, poses no
current threat to the people living in close proximity to the
volcano.
2. The VDAP team had two levels of recommendations for the GOT based
on their preliminary assessment. First level recommendations,
achievable with minimal resources, would include an education
component for residents in close proximity to the volcano; an
emergency action plan; a paid watchperson to alert authorities and
contact the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) when
explosive activity occurs; and sending members of the Geological
Survey of Tanzania to volcano-monitoring and risk communication
training. Level two recommendations would involve more substantial
and long-term investments, including establishing an Observatory and
use of volcano-monitoring equipment.
3. The VDAP team praised the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) for
its assessment and preliminary recommendations. Though the GST
lacks extensive volcanological experience and monitoring equipment,
its assessment was thorough. The VDAP team proposed changing the
GST's expansive danger zone to be more focused on areas that are
most impacted by eruptions, but otherwise was in agreement.
Mayberry gave President Kikwete a copy of the Draft Report of
Findings and said the team would be working in collaboration with
the GST over the next couple of weeks to issue a final report.
4. Embassy thanks the Department, USGS and USAID/OFDA for their
rapid response to the urgent request from the President Kikwete, who
personally expressed his appreciation to CDA and VDAP representative
for USG support.
ANDRE