A volcanic-hazard demonstration exercise to assess and mitigate the impacts of volcanic ash clouds on civil and military aviation
In: Natural hazards and earth system sciences: NHESS, Band 20, Heft 6, S. 1719-1739
ISSN: 1684-9981
Abstract. Volcanic eruptions comprise an important airborne hazard
for aviation. Although significant events are rare, e.g. compared to the
threat of thunderstorms, they have a very high impact. The current state of
tools and abilities to mitigate aviation hazards associated with an assumed
volcanic cloud was tested within an international demonstration exercise.
Experts in the field assembled at the Schwarzenberg barracks in Salzburg,
Austria, in order to simulate the sequence of procedures for the volcanic
case scenario of an artificial eruption of the Etna volcano in Italy. The
scope of the exercise ranged from the detection (based on artificial
observations) of the assumed event to the issuance of early warnings.
Volcanic-emission-concentration charts were generated applying modern
ensemble techniques. The exercise products provided an important basis for
decision-making for aviation traffic management during a volcanic-eruption
crisis. By integrating the available wealth of data, observations and
modelling results directly into widely used flight-planning software, it
was demonstrated that route optimization measures could be implemented
effectively. With timely and rather precise warnings available, the new
tools and processes tested during the exercise demonstrated vividly that a
vast majority of flights could be conducted despite a volcanic plume being widely
dispersed within a high-traffic airspace over Europe. The resulting number
of flight cancellations was minimal.