This module is the fourth and final entry in the Volcanic Ash series. It covers the tools and techniques used for identifying and forecasting the transport of volcanic ash. Satellite and radar imagery are combined with observations and numerical model output to first identify the presence of volcanic ash and then to help forecast the transport of ash at various levels of the atmosphere.
Utilize available remote sensing, model data and observations to evaluate the presence of volcanic ash.
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of various satellite and radar products.
Forecast volcanic ash transport and dispersion using all available observations and model output.
Use HYSPLIT model output to determine areas that will be affected by volcanic ash.
Develop forecast products that inform customers of potential volcanic ash hazards.
volcanic ash, volcanic ash plume, ash plume height, ash plume drift, tools, dispersion model, HYSPLIT, split window, satellite monitoring, sulfur dioxide product, false color imagery, principal component imagery, pilot reports, webcams, reflectance product, ash fall
June 2020: Updates to this lesson incorporate imagery from the current generation GOES-R geostationary satellites to show how GOES-R improvements can enhance the detection and analysis of volcanic ash. The section on Identifying Presence of Ash includes new examples from the Volcán de Fuego eruption in February of 2018 and the Ubinas eruption in July of 2019. The lesson also includes updated information on real time ash dispersion models in use by various international Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers.
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