Modelling and Remote Sensing of Ash and Sulfur Dioxide from the 2008 Kasatochi Volcano Eruption
Abstract
We simulated the formation, evolution and transport of volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the 2008 eruption of Kasatochi volcano using the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) with inline Chemistry (WRF-Chem). The volcano is located at the western Aleutian arc, and the ash and SO2 plume dispersed well over the North American continent. Using the Regional Acid Deposition Model, version 2 (RADM2) within WRF-Chem, we describe the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfate aerosols. WRF-Chem was further set up to use the GOCART aerosol module for predicting the fate of the sulfate aerosol downwind from the volcano. We validated model output with temporal and spatial comparisons to data available from various satellite borne sensors, including OMI, AIRS and MODIS. Temporal and special agreement between WRF and sensor data is discussed and the feasibility of using WRF-Chem as a tool for volcanic sulfur dioxide and ash prediction is assessed.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFM.V43B2886E
- Keywords:
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- 0370 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE Volcanic effects;
- 0317 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE Chemical kinetic and photochemical properties;
- 0545 COMPUTATIONAL GEOPHYSICS Modeling;
- 8409 VOLCANOLOGY Atmospheric effects