ESA: Satellite observations show potential to improve ash cloud forecasts

Predicting the exact dispersal of a volcanic ash cloud is never going to be easy. However, satellite data are showing that the eruption from Iceland's Grímsvötn volcano this week was unlikely to have posed a significant threat to airspace over central Europe.

The Icelandic Met Office reports that eruption from Grímsvötn has subsided and that there is now virtually no ash being produced from the volcano.

This major eruption began during the evening of 21 May and led to the disruption of around a thousand flights across Europe.

Although this is minor compared to the chaos caused last year when Eyjafjallajoekull erupted, satellite data are showing that this week's eruption did not pose a serious threat to aircraft flying over central Europe.

Satellite measurements offer an excellent means with which to follow the spread, extension, concentration and movement of volcanic plumes.

The most useful information is provided by satellites in geostationary orbit, such as the Meteosat series operated by Eumetsat, as they deliver data every 15 minutes.

The animation at the top, produced by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute KNMI, uses data from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) on Europe's MSG-2 satellite. It shows how the ash cloud spewed from Grímsvötn drifted towards Scotland and Scandinavia over the last few days.

ESA Portal - Satellite observations show potential to improve ash cloud forecasts