The Impact of Volcanic Ash

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Phyllis Hill
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1 The Impact of Volcanic Ash Joseph Schiavone MSc September 2012

2 Temperatures Recorded 1991 to 2010 Trend : Increased by 1.1 Degree Celsius

3 Volcanic ash should treated similarly to any other significant meteorological hazard

4 The effects of strong eruptive episodes can be far-reaching and endanger air traffic. Since Etna lies in one of the areas of major business and touristic interest, civil aviation may be affected by eruption plumes. Malta Airport MetOfficeis in charge of issuing SIGMETs to aircraft flying over Malta s flight information region, based on pilot reports, ground observations as well as official plume forecasts issued by designated Centres. During such incidents MetOfficealso keep close liaison with both Malta s Air Traffic Control and Transport Malta (Civil Aviation Directorate). Copyright. Malta International Airport plc. All Rights Reserved. Malta International Airport plc. Slide 4

6 2010 and 2011 European Volcano Eruptions The Iceland volcano eruption in April 2010 led to a closure of the majority of European airspace in Europe for six days and some temporary closures in different parts thereafter The financial impact to airlines was estimated at $1.8 billionin lost revenue Some 10 million passengers and 100,000 flights were affected during the six day period By comparison, the 2011 eruption, which was smaller and had a more favorable pressure system moving the resultant ash cloud, suffered only with the closure of airspace in northern Germany for some hours Source IATA

8 Volcanic ash mostly consists of: sharp-edged, hard glass particles pulverized rock, which is very abrasive and, being largely composed of siliceous material and has a melting temperature below the operating temperature of modern turbine engines at cruise thrust. A volcanic ash cloud may be accompanied by gaseous solutions of sulphur dioxide (when combined with water create sulphuric acid), chlorine (when combined with water create hydrochloric acid) and other chemicals which are corrosive to the airframe and hazardous to health. Given these facts, it is self evident, that volcanic ash in the atmosphere may pose a serious hazard to aircraft in flight. Thus, volcanic ash encounters by aircraft should be avoided. Copyright. Malta International Airport plc. All Rights Reserved. Malta International Airport plc. Slide 8

10 Dec. 15, 1989 Boeing 747 descended into Anchorage and passed through an ash cloud of a small eruption of Mount Redoubt. All four engines stopped and the plane was without power for 8 minutes, losing about 14,000 feet of altitude from 28,000 feet. At 14,000 ft (less than 2000 ft above mountain tops) the engines were restarted. Copyright. Malta International Airport plc. All Rights Reserved. Malta International Airport plc. Slide 10

Copyright. Malta International Airport plc.

13 Volcanic Ash Sigmet Notification Process

27 Oct 2002 Copyright. Malta International Airport plc.

Significant Meteorological Information, is aweatheradvisory that contains meteorological information concerning the safety of all aircraft Volcanic Ash Sigmet Text in 2012 9 th Feb 2012 08:45

17 Significant Meteorological Information, is aweatheradvisory that contains meteorological information concerning the safety of all aircraft Volcanic Ash Sigmet Text in th Feb :45 to19:10 ( 3 Warnings) 1 st April :40 to 15:00 ( 3 Warnings) 13 th May :20 (1 Warning) Copyright. Malta International Airport plc. All Rights Reserved. Malta International Airport plc. Slide 17

Malta International Airport plc, Luqa LQA 4000, Malta Tel: +356 2124

20 Malta International Airport plc, Luqa LQA 4000, Malta Tel: Fax:

What are the safety regulations regarding volcanic ash and why?

International Civil Aviation Organization European and North Atlantic What are the safety regulations regarding volcanic ash and why? Atlantic Conference on Eyjafjallajökull and Aviation Keflavik, Iceland,