Volcano's flight risk
What is Volcanic Ash?
Volcanic ash is a mixture of rock, mineral, and glass particles. It is formed during volcanic eruptions when magma and surrounding rock material are fragmented. The particles are very small, typically less than millimeters in diameter. Due to their low density and tiny size, volcanic ash can travel long distances carried by winds.
Composition of Volcanic Ash
Volcanic ash is composed of rock fragments, volcanic glass, and a variety of minerals that do not dissolve in water. The exact mineral makeup of the ash depends on the minerals present in the magma.
During a major eruption, very fine grains of ash can be ejected tens of thousands of feet into the sky. Closer to the volcano, it can rain down like heavy snow that never melts.
How does volcanic ash affect airplanes?
Volcanic ash ejected into the atmosphere by explosive eruptions has known damaging effects on aircraft. Ash particles can abrade forward-facing surfaces, including windscreens, fuselage surfaces, and compressor fan blades. Ash contamination also can lead to failure of critical navigational and operational instruments. Moreover, the melting temperature of the glassy silicate material in an ash cloud is lower than combustion temperatures in modern jet engines; consequently, ash particles sucked into an engine can melt quickly and accumulate as re-solidified deposits in cooler parts, degrading engine performance even to the point of in-flight compressor stall and loss of thrust power.
According to the USGS, volcanic ash ejected into the atmosphere by explosive eruptions has known damaging effects on aircraft. Ash particles can abrade forward-facing surfaces, including windscreens, fuselage surfaces, and compressor fan blades. Ash contamination also can lead to failure of critical navigational and operational instruments. Moreover, the melting temperature of the glassy silicate material in an ash cloud is lower than combustion temperatures in modern jet engines; consequently, ash particles sucked into an engine can melt quickly and accumulate as re-solidified deposits in cooler parts, degrading engine performance even to the point of in-flight compressor stall and loss of thrust power.
BBC News reports that an erupting volcano spews ash and particles into the sky, predominantly made up of silicates. The very high temperature inside a jet engine will melt these particles but in cooler parts of the engine, they will solidify again forming a glassy coating. This disrupts the airflow which can lead to the engine stalling or failing completely.
The impact of volcanic ash on aircraft engines
Volcanic ash ejected into the atmosphere by explosive eruptions has known damaging effects on aircraft engines. Ash particles can abrade forward-facing surfaces, including windscreens, fuselage surfaces, and compressor fan blades. Ash contamination also can lead to failure of critical navigational and operational instruments.
The melting temperature of the glassy silicate material in an ash cloud is lower than combustion temperatures in modern jet engines; consequently, ash particles sucked into an engine can melt quickly and accumulate as re-solidified deposits in cooler parts, degrading engine performance even to the point of in-flight compressor stall and loss of thrust power.
Encounters of Aircraft with Volcanic Ash Clouds: A Compilation of Known Incidents, 1953-2009 documents 79 damaging ash/aircraft encounters. Twenty-six of those involved significant to very severe aircraft damage, including nine encounters where engine failure occurred during flight. Fortunately, in each of the engine-failure cases, at least one engine was able to be restarted or did not fail, and hence there have been no known crashes as a result of volcanic ash ingestion.
To mitigate the impact of volcanic ash clouds on aviation, various measures have been taken. For instance, the USGS has developed a global volcanic ash advisory center that provides information on volcanic activity and ash clouds to aviation authorities worldwide. Additionally, aircraft manufacturers have developed new technologies that can detect and avoid volcanic ash clouds.
Aviation industry volcano eruption
Volcanic ash clouds can pose a significant threat to aircraft safety, as the ash particles can abrade forward-facing surfaces, including windscreens, fuselage surfaces, and compressor fan blades. Ash contamination can also lead to failure of critical navigational and operational instruments. Encounters of aircraft with volcanic ash clouds have resulted in 79 damaging ash/aircraft encounters between 1953 and 2009. Twenty-six of those involved significant to very severe aircraft damage, including nine encounters where engine failure occurred during flight. Fortunately, there have been no known crashes as a result of volcanic ash ingestion. However, engine damage resulting from ash ingestion can be very costly - in a 4-engine shutdown incident during the 1989 eruption of Redoubt Volcano in Alaska, USA, the aircraft sustained damage costing US$150 million (in 2013 dollars) to repair.
The Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland in April 2010 caused widespread disruption to air travel across Europe. The eruption led to the cancellation of approximately 100,000 flights over a period of six days. The total number of passengers affected by the cancellations was estimated to be around 10 million. The insurance industry was also impacted by the event. According to Swiss Re, the global reinsurer, the total insured losses from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption were estimated at US$300 million. The business interruption costs for airlines were also significant. According to IATA, the International Air Transport Association, the total loss of revenue for airlines due to the Eyjafjallajökull eruption was estimated at US$1.7 billion.
Short-term earthquake risk models in the aviation industry
Earling short-term seismic risk models that can detect the risk of major seismic events up to a few days in advance play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of volcanic ashes on businesses and the aviation industry. By providing early warnings, these models enable businesses to take proactive measures to minimize interruptions and prevent potential losses.
The aviation industry, in particular, faces significant challenges due to volcanic eruptions. Tens of thousands of flight cancellations can occur, leading to substantial financial losses and inconvenience for passengers. However, with the help of short-term seismic risk models, airlines and aviation authorities can make informed decisions based on timely information about potential volcanic activities. This allows them to adjust flight schedules, reroute planes, and take necessary precautions to ensure passenger safety and minimize disruptions.
By leveraging these models, businesses can better prepare for volcanic eruptions and their aftermath. This includes developing contingency plans, implementing preventive measures, and establishing effective communication channels with relevant stakeholders. Ultimately, the utilization of the Earling short-term seismic risk models contributes to reducing the impact of volcanic ashes on businesses and the aviation industry as a whole.
Short-term earthquake risk models in the aviation industry
Short-term seismic risk models can have a significant impact on the insurance industry. These models can help insurance companies to reprice new or current policies, adjust flight cancellation policies, and mitigate business interruption risks.
Firstly, short-term seismic risk models can help insurance companies to reprice new or current policies. By analyzing seismic data, these models can provide insurers with a more accurate assessment of the risk of earthquakes and other natural disasters. This information can be used to adjust premiums and ensure that policyholders are paying a fair price for their coverage. Additionally, short-term seismic risk models can help insurers to identify areas that are at higher risk of earthquakes, allowing them to focus their resources on these regions.
Secondly, short-term seismic risk models can help insurance companies to adjust flight cancellation policies. When a volcanic eruption occurs, airlines often have to cancel flights due to the risk of volcanic ash damaging aircraft engines. This can result in significant financial losses for airlines and inconvenience for passengers. However, with the help of short-term seismic risk models, airlines can make informed decisions about flight cancellations based on timely information about potential volcanic activities. This allows them to adjust flight schedules, reroute planes, and take necessary precautions to ensure passenger safety and minimize disruptions.
Finally, short-term seismic risk models can help businesses to mitigate the risks of business interruption due to natural disasters. By providing early warnings of potential earthquakes and other natural disasters, these models enable businesses to take proactive measures to minimize interruptions and prevent potential losses. This includes developing contingency plans, implementing preventive measures, and establishing effective communication channels with relevant stakeholders.
In conclusion, short-term seismic risk models play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of natural disasters on the insurance industry. By providing insurers with more accurate assessments of risk, these models enable them to adjust premiums and focus their resources on high-risk areas. Additionally, they help airlines to make informed decisions about flight cancellations and enable businesses to mitigate the risks of business interruption. As such, short-term seismic risk models are an essential tool for insurers looking to manage their exposure to natural disasters.