Volcano Disaster Assistance Program

Meetings to improve volcanic ash cloud notification procedures in Ecuador and Mexico: January-April, 2000

Ongoing eruptions of volcanoes Popocatepetl and Colima in Mexico and, recently, Guagua Pichincha and Tungurahua volcanoes in Ecuador, highlight the need for better real-time ash cloud notification procedures to deal with volcanic-ash clouds produced by volcanoes in Central and South America. In January, 2000, we joined the NOAA Satellite Analysis Branch and the National Weather Service at a meeting in Mexico City with Mexican aviation and meteorological personnel regarding improved ash cloud reporting strategies for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) International Airways Watch (IAVW).

The purpose of the meeting was for all participants to better understand the roles and responsibilities of key groups in providing timely ash cloud notification to the Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) and thereby to the international aviation community. Our role in the meeting was to review the role and responsibilities of volcano observatories in ash cloud notification.

In early April, we joined NOAA and NWS representatives in Quito, Ecuador, to meet with agencies in Ecuador responsible for ash cloud notification during ongoing eruptions of volcanoes Tungurahua and Guagua Pichincha. More timely and accurate notification of volcanic ash clouds from eruptions in both countries should result, making local and international air travel safer in Latin America.

Background information on volcanic ash and aircraft issues

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U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California, USA
URL http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/About/Where/VDAP/vaac-March2000.html
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Last modification: 31 March 2000 (SRB)