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Eugene -Springfield Area Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan <br />2. Hazard Descriptions <br />History of Impact in Eugene -Springfield <br />There have been no volcano induced epidemics in the Eugene -Springfield area. <br />Risk of Impact <br />Though worldwide risk of an epidemics arising after a volcanic eruption is <br />moderate, the healthcare system and demographics of an area must be considered. <br />Due to these facts the Eugene -Springfield area's risk is low. <br />Hazardous Materials <br />Volcano induced hazardous material spills or releases are not a significant impact <br />for the Eugene or Springfield area. <br />2.8.6 Probability of Future Occurrence <br />The 2015 Oregon Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan indicates the annual probability <br />of the South and Middle Sister entering a new period of eruptive activity is <br />estimated from 1 in several thousand to 1 in 10,000. However, the ability to <br />calculate the probability of a volcanic eruption is limited due to the fragmented <br />nature of the geologic history for these volcanoes. <br />Uplift was discovered on South Sister in 2001 when geologists and volcanologists <br />observed an area roughly 10 miles in diameter rise by roughly 4 inches at the <br />center. The center of this area was approximately 3 miles from the summit of the <br />South Sister volcano. Uplift continued at roughly 1 inch per year until 2004, when it <br />decreased to one half inch per year. As of 2017, the rate of inflation decreased to <br />0.2 inches per year.65 While this uplift is significant, it does not indicate an <br />eruption is imminent. <br />Although the presence of active volcanoes in the Cascades threatens the area, <br />Eugene and Springfield estimate the probability of a new volcanic occurrence as <br />low. A low rating means one incident is likely within a 75 to 100-year period. <br />2.8.6 Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment <br />The Steering Committee rated the vulnerability to a volcanic incident as moderate, <br />meaning 10% to 69% of the population and/or regional assets could be impacted by <br />a volcanic incident. This moderate rating is due to the fact the repercussions of an <br />eruption for Eugene would be limited to ash fall, and a decrease in water quality <br />from the McKenzie River. Due to the expected slow onset, advanced warning, and <br />65 USGS, Cascades Volcano Observatory. Long -Term Monitoring Tracks Subtle Surface Changes at <br />some Cascade Range Volcanoes — Uplift at South Sister, December 05, 2017. <br />httos://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/cvo/cvo news archive.html <br />2-56 January 2020 <br />