Volcanic ash impact can be reduced says new research – ScienceDaily

Ash is sometimes seen as a secondary hazard in volcanoes when compared to such visual hazards, such as lava and pyroclastic flows. However, ash can have a major impact on human lives and infrastructure, such as the 2010 eruption of the Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, which brought international aviation across Europe to a standstill.

This research, which is being published Scientific Reports, uses a new kind camera, developed at The University of Manchester, to measure the flow of a volcanic feather.

The researchers measure how ash particles interact with sunlight, and specifically, how they change the polarization of sunlight, in a similar way. This would have been possible without the development of the new "AshCam" which is the first camera of its kind in the world.

During a volcanic eruption, heavy ash can lead to collapse, potentially injuring or killing those inside. More exposure to ash can cause irritation to the nose, throat and eyes, and aggravating pre-existing health conditions such as asthma.

But ash is also a major danger to other critical human infrastructure, including electrical, water and transportation networks, such as the 2010 Icelandic eruption.

Chair in Volcanology at The University of Manchester, Professor Mike Burton, said: "Volcanic ash is a primary product of an explosive volcanic eruption that poses a threat to human health and infrastructure.

"The Icelandic eruption in 2010 highlighted to the world that ash-rich volcanic eruptions can have a major impact on the global economy through air space closures designed to minimize the risk of jet engine failure due to ash clogging."

The team visited Santiaguito Lava Dome, part of Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala, and measured a series of explosions with the camera. Santiaguito produces a number of these explosions every day, one of two hours, making it the best place to test new equipment, techniques and research models.

Professor Burton added: "Models of ash dispersions are key to the prediction of the concentrations of ash during an eruption, which ultimately determines the amount of energy required. volcanic ash dynamics, providing an important step towards improved models of ash dispersion. "

Previous studies have used ground-based UV cameras for the observation of volcanic ash or measured black carbon particles in ship emissions. However, these methods were unable to distinguish from other particles in the pen, making it difficult to measure the flow of the ash.

This is where "AshCam" is different. It is made up of commercial cameras, which are available with the help of sunlight.

PhD Researcher, Benjamin Esse, from Manchester's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, explains: "AshCam is small, lightweight and relatively cheap, making it easier to use.

"This is an exciting development as it is a volcanoes." The results of these measurements can be reduced to varying degrees by using the same method. risks posed by ash feathers. "