Models used to predict how much ash is pumped into the atmosphere and where it goes during a volcanic eruption are being informed by world-leading volcanology experts from the University of Bristol.
Around the world, predictive models are used by Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAACs) to forecast ash dispersal. These forecasts inform decisions, such as airspace closures, and help governments assess the health, economic and environmental risks associated with volcanic eruptions. Yet there is considerable uncertainty associated with the source terms put into these models as the dynamics of the volcano itself during an eruption are extremely complicated.
In 2010, Professor Steve Sparks FRS and Professor Willy Aspinall and Dr Matt Watson were asked to join a Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). The committee was created by the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Sir John Beddington, in response to the ash crisis resulting from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland.
“There were four meetings over several weeks as the emergency unfolded and this is where we put in quite a lot of advice,” said Sparks, European Research Council Advanced Researcher in the School of Earth Sciences. “It’s because NERC has supported my research over the past 20-30 years that I was in a position to help in this situation.”
The Bristol volcanologists provided insight into the terms being put into the Met Office’s Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME), thereby reducing some of the uncertainty around forecasting.
“Their contributions were crucial to aid our understanding of the ash plume size and composition, and the processes by which the plume was transported to the UK,” said Professor Beddington. “That information was used to inform the modelling which provided maps of ash concentrations and locations for the Civil Aviation Authority.”
Met Office forecasts also inform other businesses affected by atmospheric ash such as helicopter operations related to the oil and gas industry and the UK energy network.
“Following the April 2010 emergency, the [Bristol experts] have continued to work with the government to improve its understanding of the risk from Icelandic volcanoes and to mitigate the impact of future eruptions,” said Professor Beddington.
Following the April 2010 emergency, the [Bristol experts] have continued to work with the government to improve its understanding of the risk from Icelandic volcanoes and to mitigate the impact of future eruptions.