Agency: Laboratory for Seismic and Volcanic Activity Research (EMSD)
Name: COLOR CODES (April 2025 edition)
Note: The VAL scheme below is the generalized version. Each volcano has an individualized VAL scheme, which can be seen here.
The aviation VAL scheme can be found here, and follows the standard ICAO aviation VAL scheme.
Elements of VAL system
| Domain | Terrestrial |
| Volcano | All |
| Scheme range | 5-level scale |
| Lowest level | 1 |
| Highest level | 5 |
| Level name type | Color |
| Level for lack/loss of monitoring | Yes |
| Volcanic activity | Yes |
| Hazards possible | Yes |
| Locations affected | No |
| Potential impacts | No |
| Forecast language | No |
| Timing language | No |
| Actions to take | No |
| Agency actions | No |
| Link to evacuations | No |
| Reporting frequency per level | No |
| Link to monitoring thresholds | Yes |
| Step-up and step-down language | No |
VAL sources and links
The images below are static examples of VAL information pages and DO NOT represent current alert levels. While we strive to maintain the links below, they may not always work. For the current alert level, please consult the proper institutional authorities.
VAL Dashboard
