Which of the following is a protection measure?

• A. Steep roofs (no ash build up)
• B. Hazard maps
• C. Evacuation routes
• D. Ground-swelling detection

Answer: (A)

Protection measures are actions or designs that directly reduce vulnerability or exposure to a hazard. Steep roofs help protect buildings and people during volcanic ashfall by shedding ash quickly and preventing heavy ash buildup, which lowers the risk of roof collapse and other damage. This is a physical safeguard built into structures, making it a clear protection measure.

Hazard maps, evacuation routes, and ground-swelling detection serve other roles: hazard maps aid planning by identifying where hazards are likely to occur; evacuation routes are part of preparedness and safe egress planning; ground-swelling detection is a monitoring method that helps with early warning.