Pavlof volcano eruption - ash cloud at 25,000 ft.

[AlaskaDenise]

Pavlof: Color Code RED Alert Level WARNING

The eruption of Pavlof Volcano that began on November 12 has intensified and the ash cloud height is currently estimated at 25,000 ft above sea level. Thus, the Aviation Color Code has been raised to RED and the Volcano Alert Level to WARNING.

The intensity of seismic tremor has increased significantly over the past 6 hours, and satellite data indicate that the ash cloud is now at an altitude of 25,000 ft above sea level. As of 11:00 am AKST (20:00 UTC) the cloud is moving towards the northwest and extends for about 125 miles (200 km) downwind.


Alaska Volcano Observatory

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Ash traveling in this direction is likely to interfere with the busy airline path from Asia, thru Anchorage, to the USA. Those airplanes need to watch all the frequent eruptions on Kamchatka & the entire Aleutian chain. Many of the Aleutian volcanoes are actively moving magma around underground, even if they're not erupting.

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[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Pavlof volcanoe eruption - ash cloud at 25,000 ft.

Re: Pavlof volcanoe eruption - ash cloud at 25,000 ft.

The ash is actually going right through the main airline path between continents.

see map here: http://www.birds-eye-view.alaska.edu/ch3/aviation.htm

The airspace above the Aleutian Islands is one of the heaviest traveled in the world, with more than 50,000 large aircraft per year and 10,000 passengers per day traveling between Asia and North America and Europe. (Source: AVO)

On December 15, 1989, KLM Flight 867 from Amsterdam was descending into Anchorage International Airport when it flew though a thick cloud of ash from Mt. Redoubt. All four engines stalled and the standby electrical system failed. After descending more than 14,000 feet, the crew was finally able to restart the engines and safely land the plane. In this case the ash caused more than $80 million in damage to the plane, but fortunately no lives were lost. (Source: USGS)

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[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Pavlof volcanoe eruption - ash cloud at 25,000 ft.

Re: Pavlof volcanoe eruption - ash cloud at 25,000 ft.

better maps about half way down page:

Volcanic Ash?Danger to Aircraft in the North Pacific

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