# Presentation: 158498

## Actions from May 2007 Volcanic Ash Workshop

- Status Review and Discussion
- May 14, 2008

## Definition of Status

- STATUS:  Not Completed

- STATUS:  Completed (may need continual improvements)

- STATUS:  Ongoing (portions may be completed)

## Product & Service Improvements

## Topic #1

- Issue:  The Augustine events of early 2006 and the subsequent after action meeting brought to light the importance of providing as much “up front” information to parties.  This allows folks to prepare in advance of an event.  This topic was also discussed at the workshop and the group consensus was as much information as early as possible.
- Action: Provide information of volcano unrest and elevated activity to customers as early as possible given a relatively high confidence.
- STATUS:  **EFFORTS ONGOING** – CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS IN PROVISION OF INFORMATION – FEEDBACK WELCOME

## Topic #2

- Issue:  During the Augustine events, it was noted by users that it was difficult to track the multiple puffs on satellite imagery.
- Action: Use a method of tagging each of the events which will make it easier to track individual puffs.
- STATUS:  ONGOING CHALLENGE. WORK STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BETTER TAG AND FOLLOW EACH INDIVIDUAL PUFF. – ANALYSIS NEEDS TO BE DONE AND PRESENT HOW THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED – MAYBE WE NEED A SMALL WORKING GROUP TO PERSUE THIS?

## Topic #3

- Issue:  During the Augustine events (multiple eruptions) it was noted that the Graphical MIS produced by the NWS CWSU, SIGMET produced by the NWS AAWU and PIREPs were sometimes all indicating a different plume heights.
- Action:  The NWS CWSU and AAWU must engage in better coordination to ensure that products are consistent in rapidly changing situation.
- STATUS:  **COMPLETED**.  THE ANCHORAGE VAAC AND CWSU COORDINATE CLOSELY BETWEEN GRAPHICAL MIS, VAA, AND SIGMET PRODUCTS.

## Topic #4

- Issue:  Pilot Reports (PIREPs) are a critical piece of information in determining location and height of an ash plume.  Cannot discount PIREPs despite their qualitative nature...report all estimates and their source.
- Action:  Ensure that all PIREPs are input long-line and be sure to list the source of the information in the remarks section.
- STATUS:   **ONGOING**.  MORE TRAINING AND EDUCATION IS NEEDED IN THIS AREA (IDEA – USE GOTOMEETING OR SOME OTHER METHOD) – NEED TO INCLUDE FSS, AIRLINE DISPATCH. KRISTINE HAS ALREADY PROVIDED SOME PIREP TRAINING TO ARTCC PERSONNEL – MORE IS NEEDED. – ONGOING AND ACTIVELY PURSUING MORE QUANTITATIVE METHOD OF ERROR ANALYSIS FOR SATELLITE DETERMINED CLOUD TOPS (KEN DEAN)

## Topic #5

- Issue:  The Graphical MIS is a product that is produced by the NWS CWSU and is currently faxed to an FAA approved user list.  This graphic is useful, however the method of transmission is too long and information becomes obsolete by the time the user receives it.  In addition, the method of creation of such a graphic is cumbersome and time consuming.
- Action:  NWS CWSU is working on a better graphical ash impact area product and better methods of dissemination to controllers and users.  They are looking into multiple pathways for redundancy (fax, email).
- STATUS:  **COMPLETED**.  USING VACT TO CREATE THE PRODUCT.  CWSU NOW USES A FAX SERVICE TO DISSEMINATE THEIR PRODUCTS.

## Topic #6

- Issue:  The Volcanic Ash Collaborative Tool (VACT) allows users to view and discuss volcanic ash features in real time allowing for collaborative decision making.  The USGS AVO, NWS CWSU, NWS AAWU/VAAC, and NWS Alaska Region currently utilize the VACT.  VACT is potentially a powerful, integrative tool.  The vision was to develop an “end to end” system for the forecaster.  The tool is currently experimental and will be moving into operations pending the next software delivery which will give the forecasters the Funding for this project for FY07 is $0.00.  The developers are planning on one final build/training in the summer 2007.  Beyond that time, the funding for this project is unclear.
- Action:  Looking beyond the capabilities of the VACT contained in the next software delivery, make a specific list of requirements needed to make this a full end to end tool.  Examine options for continued work on this project and costs involved.
- STATUS:  **COMPLETED**.  THE FINAL BUILD IS TAKING PLACE THIS WEEK. A LIST OF USER REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO MAKE THIS A FULL END TO END TOOL.  AWAITING DECISIONS ON WHEN/HOW TO PROCEED WITH THIS PROJECT.

## Topic #7

- Issue:  The web version of the PUFF model provides users with an easily accessible method to run ash dispersion models.  The PUFF developers are looking for input to make the PUFF more user friendly and include all of the needed features.
- Action:  During the Volcanic Ash Workshop webPUFF presentation, users requested several new PUFF features including:  (1) output in metric with a toggle to feet/miles and (2) overlay of jet routes and sector boundaries (additional map boundaries)
- STATUS:  **COMPLETED**.  WEBPUFF II IS MORE USER FRIENDLY THAN WEBPUFF I.  WEBPUFF II NOW HAS THE ABILITY TO PLOT OUTPUT IN FEET AND ALSO FOR THE JPEG IMAGES TO DISPLAY OVERLAYS OF JET ROUTES FROM TOM CASADEVALL’S MAP.  CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO INCORPORATING SECTOR BOUNDARIES.

## Topic #8

- Issue:  Users have voiced a concern that it is difficult to find the latest VAA on the AAWU/VAAC webpage.  The most current VAA needs to be prominent on the web site.
- Action:  Place the latest VAA in a place that is easy to access.
- STATUS:  **COMPLETED**.  ANCHORAGE VAAC WEBPAGE _[http://vaac.arh.noaa.gov](http://vaac.arh.noaa.gov/)_ WAS REDESIGNED IN DECEMBER 2007.  MUCH EASIER NOW TO LOCATE VAA.

## Topic #9

- Issue:  Better graphical products showing ash cloud position and forecasts needed with airways shown.
- Action: Develop a graphical SIGMET and VAA product.
- STATUS:  **COMPLETED****.  **NEW PRODUCTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE (GRAPHICAL SIGMETS AND VAAS)...VOLCANIC ACTIVITY HAS BEEN LOW WITH FEW PRODUCTS ISSUED.

## Topic #10

- Issue:  Desire that AVO were a 24/7 operation; calling duty scientists at AVO and CVO and going through the answering service is not efficient.
- STATUS:  NO CHANGES EXPECTED WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN FUNDING.

## Topic #11

- Issue:  Concern about Anchorage VAAC satellite data resources being insufficient to provide expected service.
- STATUS:  NEW ANCHORAGE VAAC SATELLITE IMAGERY IS EXPECTED...ESTIMATED DATE AT THIS TIME IS UNKNOWN DUE TO ISSUES WITH TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO NESDIS.

## Topic #12

- Issue:  Ash fall warning products need work.
- STATUS:  ONGOING.  USGS AND NWS HAVE DEVELOPED PROPOSED NEW FORMATS AND MESSAGE CONTENT; STILL UNDER DISCUSSION BEFORE IMPLMENTATION IN ALASKA.

## Topic #13

- Action:  Continuing support of both email and fax notification process.
- STATUS:  **ONGOING**.  THESE WILL CONTINUE AND A SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT FOR USGS VOLCANO ACTIVITY MESSAGES.

## Topic #14

- Issue:  The Department of Defense (DOD) is a large and complex organization.  Is the AVO reaching all the appropriate people in the DOD.
- Action:  Work with the USAF, USCG, US Army, etc. to ensure that the appropriate folks are getting the information they need in a timely manner.
- STATUS:  **COMPLETED**.  DISCUSSED AT SUBSEQUENT INTERAGENCY MEETING.  REVISED LANGUAGE IN 2008 IA OPERATING PLAN

## Topic #15

- Issue:  The NWS CWSU maintains a record of volcanic ash information for the North Pacific.  Space at the NWS CWSU is an issue for all of this paper copy.  Consider a way to create an electronic archive.
- Action:  NWS CWSU will continue to maintain a record of volcanic ash information.  Look into the creation of an electronic archive that can be accessible.
- STATUS:  **ONGOING**.  ALL ELECTRONIC TEXT WEATHER MESSAGES (E.G. SIGMETS AND VAAS) ARE ARCHIVED BY WFO ANCHORAGE AND THE AAWU/ANCHORAGE VAAC.

## Russia Issues/Actions

## Topic #16

- Issue:  There are areas of North Central Siberia that are not “assigned” by any VAAC, yet contain very important polar routes.
- Action:  Work with U.S. Meteorological Authority (FAA) to elevate this issue to the ICAO Secretary.
- STATUS:  **ONGOING**, MUST BE PURSUED FORMALLY THROUGH ICAO IAVWOPSG

## STATUS MAY 2008:  ONGOING, HOWEVER UNLIKELY DUE TO BETTER REMOTE SENSING CAPABILITIES OF KAMCHATKA THROUGH JMA

- Action:  Work with the U.S. Meteorological Authority (FAA) to reconsider moving the Kamchatka Peninsula and Northern Kurile Islands from Tokyo to Anchorage VAAC area of responsibility.
- STATUS MAY 2008:  **ONGOING**, HOWEVER UNLIKELY DUE TO BETTER REMOTE SENSING CAPABILITIES OF KAMCHATKA THROUGH JMA

- Topic #17

## Topic #18

- Issue:  The Sakhalin Volcano Emergency Response Team (SVERT) is a group that was formed as a result of successes with its sister KVERT group on Kamchatka.  The SVERT group deals with volcanoes along the Kurile Island chain which could pose a major hazard to the NOPAC jet routes.  However, there has not been a major eruption of a Kurile Island volcano since the groups inception and no tests involving the SVERT group has taken place.
- Action:  Develop a formal drill/exercise involving SVERT in a Kurile eruption.   Other players would include Tokyo VAAC, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk MWO, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky MWO, Anchorage VAAC, Washington VAAC, KVERT and AVO.
- STATUS:  **COMPLETED**.  A TEST WAS COMPLETED IN FALL 2007 LED BY AVO, NWS, FAA ALASKA.  LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS TEST WERE DISSEMINATED.  ICAO WAS NOTIFIED OF ISSUES IDENTIFIED

## Topic #19

- Issue:  Concern about Russian notification process, timeliness, completeness, accessibility of Russian volcanologists and others for follow up; desire to see daily updates on Russia.  ATC cannot communicate easily with aircraft abeam Russian volcanoes.
- STATUS:  **EFFORTS ONGOING** BUT U.S. ENCOURAGMENT DIMINISHED - NOT AWARE OF ANY PROGRESS, BUT NO BACK SLIDING EITHER - ACTIVITY HAS BEEN DOWN LATELY.  WE DID CONDUCT A SUCCESSFUL DRILL WITH A KURILE ERUPTION.

## Customer Service/Feedback

## Topic #20

- Issue:  Information overload is a problem for airline dispatchers.  It is hard for dispatchers to keep up with all of the messages.
- Action:  Investigate whether the VONA has helped.
- STATUS:  **ONGOING** – NEED A BIG EVENT TO TEST THIS – FEEDBACK WELCOME.

## Topic #21

- Issue:  NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) are used to convey important aviation related information to the aviation user community.  Volcanic ash deposition and depth of the ash is important to airport operations and has potentially negative implications to braking action at the airfield.
- Action:  Investigate the utility of using NOTAMs to report volcanic ash depth.
- STATUS:  UNCERTAIN.  DO NOTAMs HAVE A FUNCTION IN REPORTING ASH FALL THICKNESSES?

## Topic #22

- Issue:  Gas/aerosols from volcanic sources poses a potential hazard to aviation.  Quite often an ash and SO2  cloud will track in a similar direction, however there are times when these clouds track in different directions.  There are tools available to track SO2 clouds such as the use of OMI data.
- Action:  Is the appropriate warning guidance being given for gases/aerosols?
- STATUS:  **ONGOING**.  STILL AN OPEN QUESTION, BUT ONGOING KILAUEA ERUPTION IS A GOOD TEST. – MAYBE NEED A SMALL WORKING GROUP TO PERSUE THIS

## Topic #23

- Issue:  Confusing array of products and web sites to find useful operational information and understand how all the products integrate; who has overall warning authority for what?
- STATUS:  USGS WEB PAGE UNDER RE-DESIGN, BETA VERSION RELEASED THAT SHOWS A SINGLE STATUS MAP FOR ALL THE US; NO SINGLE PAGE EXISTS THAT SHOWS ALL AVIATION WARNINGS.  HOW DO WE INTEGRATE VOLCANIC ACTIVITY PAGES (LARGELY USGS) AND FORMAL AVIATION WARNINGS (LARGELY NOAA) ?