Volcanic Eruption Clouds
Eruption column,
Galunggung
Volcano,
Indonesia
Explosive eruptions inject large amounts of volcanic ash and corrosive gases high into the atmosphere, especially into cruising altitudes used by commercial jet airplanes. Volcanic eruption clouds may drift for hundreds to thousands of kilometers from an erupting volcano, and can contaminate heavily used aeronautical routes over wide areas. Volcanic ash can damage aircraft flying surfaces and electronics, and cause engine failure. Eruption clouds also may cause flights to be diverted, delayed, or canceled.
Since winds above the Long Valley area blow toward an easterly direction more than 80 percent of the time, air routes east of the volcano are likely to be contaminated with volcanic ash during a future eruption. For example, air routes within a few hundred miles east of Long Valley that accommodate jets either approaching and departing San Francisco or flying in a north-south direction toward or away from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Maps and illustrations
- Principal aeronautical routes near Long Valley, California
- Effects of volcanic ash on aircraft
