How Volcanic Ash Can Harm Airplanes

How Volcanic Ash Can Harm Airplanes Aviation authorities are keeping a close eye on Iceland's Bardarbunga volcano, which in recent days has shown signs that a major eruption may be imminent. Volcanic eruptions can send plumes of ash high into the sky, posing a potentially serious risk to airplanes in the region. ICELAND'S VOLCANOES Greenland Sea AVIATION ALERT LEVELS Fault lines The volcano is in its typical, non-eruptive state Evacuated area Bardarbunga The volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest Fault lines Reykjavik The volcano is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest, with increased potential of eruption OR eruption is under way with no or minor ash emissions North Atlantic Ocean Eruption is imminent or under way with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere Eyjafjallajokull, 2010 VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORY CENTERS In 1982, a flight traveling from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Perth, Australia encountered an ash plume from an eruption at Mount Galunggung in Indonesia. All four of the planes' engines lost power and the plane plummeted from 36,000 feet to 12,500 feet before the engines were restarted. This incident prompted the creation of a network of Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC) to monitor volcano activity around the world. Active volcano - Major air route ..... VAAC boundary Volcano, eruption year LONDON ANCHORAGE MONTREAL Bardarbunga Eyjafjallajokull, 2010 TOKYO Redoubt, 1989 WASHINGTON Mount Pinatubo, 1991 Mount Galunggung, 1982 WELLINGTON BUENOS AIRES DARWIN TOULOUSE HOW ASH CAN HARM AN AIRPLANE HOW ASH AFFECTS A JET ENGINE Volcanic ash contains tiny glass particles and pulverized rock that can scratch a plane's exterior, particularly in forward-facing areas. High-speed blasts of volcanic ash can reduce the compressor's efficiency by eroding blade edges. COMPRESSOR Ash can cloud a windshield, or even make it opaque. TURBINE AIRFLOW COMBUSTION --------. CHAMBER Ash melts in the combustion chamber to form a Ash can solidify and build on turbine blades, blocking airflow and stalling the engine. The greatest damage from volcanic ash is to the aircraft's engines. substance like molten glass. THE HUFFINGTON POST Sources: The Guardian; U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Volcano Hazards Program; The Washington Post; International Civil Aviation Organization; The Smithsonian Institution; "Volcanic Hazards and Aviation Safety: Lessons of the Past Decade," Thomas J. Casadevall INCREASING ACTIVITY