[Note that the question and the answer below are recreated from a HYSPLIT FAQ site that predates this forum site. The original posting date is unknown.]
Question:
The HYSPLIT distribution models will often show significant areal coverage. Is there a threshold particle density that defines the plume boundaries and if so, is it one that corresponds to a known aircraft danger/non-danger threshold?
Answer:
There is no known aircraft danger/non-danger threshold. From what we know, pilots simply want to avoid the ash plume. HYSPLIT does not calculate actual ash concentrations because when an eruption occurs, the quantity of ash in the eruption is unknown. HYSPLIT assumes an initial quantity of one unit, and outputs concentration with respect to that. A threshold ash concentration is chosen to define the visual ash boundaries shown on the HYSPLIT maps. It is based on correlations between ash seen in visible satellite imagery from eruptions of a few volcanoes, and further refined based on the extent of the observed ash. More research is needed here, but little satellite or other observational verification data exists.
The ash concentration threshold that is dangerous to aircraft is not known. From what we know, pilots simply want to avoid the plume.
Barbara Stunder
The HYSPLIT distribution models will often show significant areal coverage. Is there a threshold particle density that
Post questions, comments and links to research (research papers, web sites, etc) involving HYSPLIT and volcanic ash. This section is also to facilitate collaborations between researchers involved in volcanic ash transport and dispersion.
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