Temporal and spatial structure of a volcanic ash cloud: ground-based remote sensing and numerical modeling

Klaus Schäfer; Wolfram Birmili; Josef Cyrys; Stefan Emeis; Renate Forkel; Stefan Gilge; Christoph Münkel; Mike Pitz; Ludwig Ries; Peter Suppan

doi:10.1117/12.870763

26 October 2010 Temporal and spatial structure of a volcanic ash cloud: ground-based remote sensing and numerical modeling

Klaus Schäfer, Wolfram Birmili, Josef Cyrys, Stefan Emeis, Renate Forkel, Stefan Gilge, Christoph Münkel, Mike Pitz, Ludwig Ries, Peter Suppan

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Proceedings Volume 7832, Lidar Technologies, Techniques, and Measurements for Atmospheric Remote Sensing VI; 78320R (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.870763
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2010, Toulouse, France

Abstract

The Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruptions during mid April 2010 influenced European air traffic basically. This was mainly due to the low melting point of ejected material and the sharp-edged form of particles. As there is the necessity to understand the dispersion of such an ash cloud we assess the existing measurement networks and evaluate the existing numerical models (MCCM). We use data from ceilometers to detect the vertical distribution of the volcanic cloud. Ground-based in situ measurements of particle concentrations, sulphur dioxide and further parameters complete the data basis. The analysis concentrates on the spatial and temporal features of the event over Southern Germany. It is an initiative of a scientific cooperation on aerosols in the area of Augsburg (500 m altitude) - Munich (550 m) - Hohenpeißenberg (1000 m) - Zugspitze / Schneefernerhaus (2650 m). The period from the evening of April 15^th to the evening of April 20^th, 2010 is covered. Main emphasis is laid on shorter events: (1) the first 15 hours of April 17^th when the first cloud moved over Southern Germany, (2) the night from April 17^th to April 18^th when a second puff arrived over Southern Germany, and (3) the afternoon of April 19^th when another puff arrived over Southern Germany. Back trajectories are used to check the origin of the observed dust clouds. Results from the model simulations with MCCM for the whole period will be compared with the measurement results. We will draw conclusions about the predictability of such events, the abilities of numerical models, the possible relevance for near-surface air quality as well as the possible enhancements of existing observation networks and simulation systems.

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Klaus Schäfer, Wolfram Birmili, Josef Cyrys, Stefan Emeis, Renate Forkel, Stefan Gilge, Christoph Münkel, Mike Pitz, Ludwig Ries, and Peter Suppan "Temporal and spatial structure of a volcanic ash cloud: ground-based remote sensing and numerical modeling", Proc. SPIE 7832, Lidar Technologies, Techniques, and Measurements for Atmospheric Remote Sensing VI, 78320R (26 October 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.870763

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