Air Quality Impacts from Volcanic Eruptions

Barbara TrostAlaska Department of Environmental Conservation,

Barbara.trost@alaska.gov, 907-269-6249

Dave Schneider U.S. Geological Survey/Alaska Volcano Observatory,

dschneider@usgs.gov, 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

Questions

Barbara Trost907-269-6249Barbara.trost@alaska.gov

Dave Schneider907-786-7497dschneider@usgs.gov