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Air Quality Impacts from Volcanic Eruptions
Barbara TrostAlaska Department of Environmental Conservation,
[email protected], 907-269-6249
Dave Schneider U.S. Geological Survey/Alaska Volcano Observatory,
[email protected], 907-786-7037
Talk Organization Dave Schneider – USGS/AVO
Alaska Volcano Observatory – who/what
Principal hazards posed to Alaskans
Volcano Monitoring & mitigation efforts
Interagency partnerships
Information tools, products, and dissemination
Barbara Trost – AK-DEC Ash impacts to air quality
Health impact mitigation measures
Air quality monitoring
Air quality warning messaging
Alaska Volcano Observatory
Conduct monitoring and scientific investigations to asses the nature, timing, and likelihood of volcanic activity
Assess volcanic hazards and areas at risk
Provide timely and accurate warning of dangerous volcanic activity
U.S. Geological Survey, State of Alaska Div. of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute
@alaska_avowww.facebook.com/alaska.avo/
Website:www.avo.alaska.edu
Historically Active Volcanoes of the Aleutian Arc and Wrangell Volcanic Field, AK
130 volcanoes in Alaska- 90 active in last 10,000 yrs- 52 active since 1760- 1-2 eruptions per year
Volcanic Hazards
AVO’s goal is to understand and warn of volcanic eruptions and hazards
Volcanic ash is the principal hazard from Alaska volcanoes
Volcanic Ash
fragments of rock, minerals, and glass
less than 2 mm in diameter
hard, angular, sharp
heavy and mildly corrosive, especially when wet
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of Augustine ash - Homer 1/13/06
Augustine, 2006
Easily remobilized
Hard, angular, abrasive
Air quality impacts
Blocks sunlight
Electrically conductive
Chemically corrosive
Volcano Monitoring & Investigation
Eruption response• Seismic (additional stations,
broadband) • Infrasound• Lightning • Webcams • Time lapse cameras• Gas measurements • GPS • Aerial observations and photos• Thermal Imaging (FLIR)• Satellite Remote Sensing
(increased looks)• Radar • Aerosols (sampling, LIDAR)• Tephra collection
Geologic Investigation• Mapping• Sample collection and processing• Eruptive history / chronology• Assess regional and local impacts
Routine• Seismic sensors• Satellite remote sensing• Web cameras• Infrasound (pressure waves)• Gas measurements
USGS National Volcano Alert Level System
Volcano is in normal non-eruptive state
Volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest
above known background levels
Volcano is exhibiting heightened/escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption;
timeframe variable OR, eruption underway with no or minor ash emissions
Eruption is forecasted to be imminent with significant emission of ash into the
atmosphere likely OR, Eruption is underway with significant ash
into the atmosphere
GREEN
YELLOW
ORANGE
RED
Elevated unrest above known background activity
Heightened/escalating unrest with increasedpotential for eruptive activity. timeframe variable, OR, minor eruption underway
that poses limited hazards
Highly hazardous eruption underway or imminent
NORMAL
ADVISORY
WATCH
WARNING
Typical background, non-eruptive state
Volcano alert level Aviation color codeTERM COLOR DESCRIPTIONDESCRIPTION
Seismically Monitored AK Volcanoes
Seismic station NCT with Redoubt in the background. 8/17/06.T. Pluchinski. USGS / AVO.
32 of our 52 historically active volcanoes are monitored
Primary partners issuing ashfall warning products
Volcano Observatory
Aviation Authority
Marine Authority
Weather Service
MilitaryEmergency Management
Land Manager
Health Authority (water/air/toxicity)
AK-DEC-Air Quality Div.
AK-DHSS
AVO Information Dissemination
Official Volcano Warning Products Volcanic Activity Notifications (VAN)
Information Statements
Daily Updates
Weekly Updates
Formal Call Downs
Public Outreach Website with real-time data streams
Ash fallout models
Facebook, Twitter
Media
24-hour access
Publications
Ashfall AdvisoriesNWS Product, not AVO
Air Quality AdvisoriesAK-DEC Product, not AVO
Community CoordinationAK-DHSEM
Veniaminof Example
Perryville
Satellite observations: Ash visible day or nightFAA web camera
• Increased ash emissions on 21 November. AVO increased Aviation Color Code to Red and Volcano Alert Level to warning.
• AVO ran the Ash3D model to give guidance on ash fall timing and amount
• Worked with NWS Forecast Office and AK DEQ who issued an ash and air quality advisories for later that day.
• Participated in community coordination call.
Reporting ashfall: Is Ash Falling?• Can be found on the
activity page for active volcanoes
• Many other links for ash fall information
Ash Impacts: Search USGS ash or https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/
Ashfall & Air Quality Impacts
• Air quality• respirator (<PM10)• silicosis
• Social response (fear, anxiety)
• Transport of critical supplies
Volcanic Ash: Health Effects
Sensitive Populations
1. Very young & very old2. Asthma or other lung problems (bronchitis &
emphysema) & severe heart problems3. Preexisting chest complaints
• Severe wheezing, coughing & shortness of breath• Airway irritation
Acute (short term) Health Effects
USGS, AVO, Photo K.Wallace
General Population• Runny nose• Discomfort breathing • Throat irritation & sore throat + dry cough• Eye irritation & + skin irritation• Ash-induced asthma
Volcanic Ash: Health Effects
Chronic (long term)• Silicosis - RARE• Ash must be very fine • Long term exposure
USGS, AVO Photo by R. McGimsey
Glenn Hwy between Sheep Mt & Glennallen,
Direct Exposure Redoubt – 2009
Re-entrainmentNovarupta -1912
USGS, AVO Photo by K. Wallace2006 -Kodiak
Spurr eruption 1992
Human health: mitigation
• Minimize contact; avoid exertion (stay indoors)
• Masks or face cover, goggles
• Evacuation of vulnerable people where necessary
• Stockpiling supplies (masks)
• Education and good guidance during event
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/
Air Quality Index Website
Long-term MonitoringSites real time data
http://http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/Aq/
Quick look at air quality in Juneau, Anchorage, Mat-Su Fairbanks and Bethel
Visual Air Quality Monitoring
Due to the vast size of Alaska, we greatly rely on the FAA weather web cameras
http://avcams.faa.gov/
• FAA Weather Web Cameras• 3-4 cameras per site
• Visibility chart for each camera view
• Access local surface observation
• NWS forecasts
• Pilot reports
• Loop camera images for the last 6 hours
Visual Air Quality Monitoring
Air Quality Advisories
Air Quality Advisory page• http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/
Air/airtoolsweb/Advisories
Sign up for email notifications• My Alaska account required