Mathematical models developed by the USGS, UAF, and NOAA forecast various aspects of how a volcanic ash plume will interact with wind—where, how high, and how fast ash particles will be transported in the atmosphere, as well as where ash will fall out and accumulate on the ground. AVO runs these models when a volcano is restless by assuming a reasonable hypothetical eruption, in order to provide a pre-eruptive forecast of areas likely to be affected. During an ongoing eruption, AVO will update the forecast with actual observations (eruption start time and duration, plume height) as they become available. All models use the same input parameters so they are comparable. Click on individual graphics to learn more.

THESE PRODUCTS MAY NOT BE CURRENT.
During an actual eruption, see National Weather Service forecasts of airborne ash hazard to aircraft (SIGMETS: https://weather.gov/aawu/ and Volcanic Ash Advisories: https://weather.gov/vaac) as well as forecasts of ash fall: https://weather.gov/afc.

Index map

23 July 2019, David Fee, UAFGI/AVO

July 23, 2019, D Ketner

Oct 21, 2019

Incandescence, Oct 21, 2019

Infrasound signal, Oct 21, 2019

Oct 21, 2019, courtesy ACE Air Cargo

Jan 3, 2020

Jan 6, 2020, courtesy A Merculief

Jan 18, 2020, courtesy Aaron Merculief

Jan 19, 2020, courtesy Woodsen Saunders

Jan 19, 2020, worldview-2