The Impact of Re-Suspended Ash: Lessons from Patagonia

THOMAS WILSON; CAROL STEWART; GUSTAVO VILLAROSA; VALERIA OUTES; BAXTER, PETER; LEONARD, GRAHAM S

Puerto Varas

Congreso; Cities on volcanoes COV 9: Understanding volcanoes and society: the key for risk mitigation; 2016

SERNAGEOMIN

Wind re-suspended ash can intensify and prolongimpacts of the initial ashfall for a range of societal elements, includinghuman health, agriculture, aviation, critical infrastructure andbuildings.  It can also extend andcomplicate ash clean-up operations, further disrupting societal function.  Effects may be similar to primary ash falland include physical and chemical hazards, with abrasion, and enhanced erosionand deposition processes generally the most impactful.    This presentation will review impacts fromre-suspended ash case-studies from around the globe, with a focus on impacts toagriculture and critical infrastructure systems in Patagonia.  It will also attempt to identify mitigationand recovery strategies which reduce the impact of re-suspended ash.