Volcanic Ash Advisory
Volcanic ash is composed of fine pulverised rock and accompanied by a number of gases which are then converted into droplets of sulphuric acid and other substances. This constitutes a serious threat to aircraft operations primarily due to the effect these corrosive gases and abrasive particles have on aircraft engines and airframe.
In addition to loss of engine performance due to glass like deposits in the engine causing flameout, ash effects may include instrument and radio failure, visibility problems and damage to other external flying components as well as contamination of the aircraft interior.
In view of recent events caused by the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland in 2010 and the nervous reaction by some Aviation Authorities we felt it was necessary to pay more attention to this phenomena and list all Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers here.
Worldwide Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers
There are nine (9) VAACs established in the world and listed below. Clicking them will open the site in a new window.
| • London, UK | • Toulouse, France | • Montreal, Canada |
| • Anchorage, US | • Washington, US | • Buenos Aires, Brazil |
| • Darwin, Australia | • Wellington, New Zealand | • Tokyo, Japan |
The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres are part of an international system set up by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) called the International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW).
IAVW
The IAVW comprises observations of volcanic ash from volcano observatories and other organisations, satellites and aircraft in flight, the issue of warnings in the form of NOTAM and SIGMET messages and, since the mid 1990s, the issue of volcanic ash advisory messages from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres identifying areas of volcanic ash and their predicted movement.
