# Presentation: 366549

## Alaska Volcano Observatory:Current Status and New DevelopmentsTom Murray

## Slide 2

## ?

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## Slide 4

## Slide 5

## PROPOSED FORMAT OF VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA)

(1)  VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION
(2)  Issued:  			Universal (Z) date and time (YYYYMMDD/HHMMZ 
Volcano:  	 		Name and number (per Smithsonian
Current Aviation Color Code: 
(5)  Previous Aviation Color Code:  
(6)  Source:  			Name of Volcano Observatory (volcanological agency)
(7)  Notice Number:  		Unique number with year
(8)  Volcano Location:  		Latitude, longitude (in NOTAM format)
(9)  Area:  		 	Regional descriptor (e.g., Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA)
(10) Summit Elevation:  	nnnn M (nnnnn FT)

(continued)

- (1)  VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION
- (2)  Issued:  			Universal (Z) date and time (YYYYMMDD/HHMMZ
- Volcano:  	 		Name and number (per Smithsonian
- Current Aviation Color Code:
- (5)  Previous Aviation Color Code:
- (6)  Source:  			Name of Volcano Observatory (volcanological agency)
- (7)  Notice Number:  		Unique number with year
- (8)  Volcano Location:  		Latitude, longitude (in NOTAM format)
- (9)  Area:  		 	Regional descriptor (e.g., Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA)
- (10) Summit Elevation:  	nnnn M (nnnnn FT)
- (continued)

## PROPOSED FORMAT OF VONA
(continued)

(11) Volcanic Activity Summary:	Concise statement that describes activity at the volcano.  If known, specify time of onset and duration of eruptive activity.
(12) Volcanic Cloud Height:  	Best estimate of ash-cloud top in nnnn M (nnnnn FT) above summit or AMSL (specify which).  Give source of height data (ground observer, pilot report, radar, etc.).  “NIL” if no ash cloud produced. 
(13) Other Volcanic Cloud information:  Brief summary of relevant cloud characteristics such as color of cloud, shape of cloud, direction of movement, etc.  Specify if cloud height is obscured or suspected to be higher than what can be observed clearly. 
	“NIL” if no ash cloud produced.
(14) Remarks: 		Optional.  Brief comments on related topics such as monitoring data, Observatory actions, volcano’s previous activity, etc. 
(15)  Contacts:  		Names, phone numbers (voice and fax), email addresses
(16)  Next Notice:  	“Will be issued when conditions at the volcano warrant changing the aviation color code or when a significant volcanic event occurs within the current color code.” 
	Or, indicate if final notice for an event.

- (continued)
- (11) Volcanic Activity Summary:	Concise statement that describes activity at the volcano.  If known, specify time of onset and duration of eruptive activity.
- (12) Volcanic Cloud Height:  	Best estimate of ash-cloud top in nnnn M (nnnnn FT) above summit or AMSL (specify which).  Give source of height data (ground observer, pilot report, radar, etc.).  “NIL” if no ash cloud produced.
- (13) Other Volcanic Cloud information:  Brief summary of relevant cloud characteristics such as color of cloud, shape of cloud, direction of movement, etc.  Specify if cloud height is obscured or suspected to be higher than what can be observed clearly.
- 	“NIL” if no ash cloud produced.
- (14) Remarks: 		Optional.  Brief comments on related topics such as monitoring data, Observatory actions, volcano’s previous activity, etc.
- (15)  Contacts:  		Names, phone numbers (voice and fax), email addresses
- (16)  Next Notice:  	“Will be issued when conditions at the volcano warrant changing the aviation color code or when a significant volcanic event occurs within the current color code.”
- 	Or, indicate if final notice for an event.

## SUMMARY OF VOLCANO ALERT LEVELS:Single Alert-Level System for all 5 US VO that deals with ground-based & aviation hazards

_**NORMAL**_
**Volcano is in typical background, non-eruptive state**
**	****	****or, after a change from a higher level,**
**Volcanic activity has ceased & volcano has returned to non-eruptive background state.**
-  _**VOLCANO ADVISORY**_
**Volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level **
**	****	****or, after a change from a higher level,**
**Volcanic activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored for possible renewed increase.**
** **_**VOLCANO WATCH**_** **
**Volcano is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, timeframe uncertain,**
**	****	****or Eruption is underway but poses limited hazards. **
_**VOLCANO WARNING**_** **
**Hazardous eruption is imminent, underway, or suspected.**

## Slide 9

| AVIATION COLOR CODES:  Initially developed by USGS AVO, adopted by ICAO as world standard |  |
| --- | --- |
| 
GREEN | Volcano is in normal, non-eruptive state. 
   or, after a change from a higher level:  
Volcanic activity considered to have ceased, and volcano reverted to its normal, non-eruptive state. |
| 
YELLOW | Volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background levels.  
   or, after a change from higher level:  
Volcanic activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored for possible renewed increase. |
| 
ORANGE | Volcano is exhibiting heightened unrest with increased likelihood of eruption,
   or,
Volcanic eruption is underway with no or minor ash emission [specify ash-plume height if possible]. |
| 
RED | Eruption is forecast to be imminent with significant emission of ash into the atmosphere likely.
  or,
Eruption is underway with significant emission of ash into the atmosphere [specify ash-plume height if possible]. |

## Information Dissemination

**Focus on web and internet**
**But keep phoning and faxing**
**More data on web**
**Work with NWS to provide a common page with latest official warning and notification products (including those form other agencies)**
**Subscription service for e-mail notifications**
**Filter by various methods (region, volcano, type of message, ...)**

## Monitoring Tools

**Ash fall**
**Radar**
**Lightning (experimental)**
**More web and low-light cameras**

## end