Volcanic ash from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption

• Published in: Applied geochemistry 2011-06, Vol.26, p.S188-S190
• Main Authors: Gislason, S.R., Alfredsson, H.A., Eiriksdottir, E.S., Hassenkam, T., Stipp, S.L.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: prediction; uncertainty; volcanic ash
• ISSN: 0883-2927; 1872-9134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.03.100

► The April 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano created major disruption to European air traffic. ► The main uncertainty in predicting the volcanic ash distribution in air space was the nature of the eruption plume including the grain size of the volcanic ash. ► Volcanic ash particles, less than about 63 μm in diameter, can travel for days suspended in air. ► Up to 70 wt% of the Eyjafjallajökull ash, 50 km from the source, was less than 60 μm in diameter. The April 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano created major disruption to European air traffic. The main uncertainty in predicting the volcanic ash distribution in air space was the nature of the eruption plume including the grain size of the volcanic ash. The volcanic ash samples collected in the vicinity of the volcano on April 15th 2010, the first day of air traffic disruption in Europe, reveal that up to 70% of the mass was less than 60 μm in diameter. This fine grained ash could remain suspended in the atmosphere for days, posing threats to air traffic.