MetService monitoring volcanic ash

This morning's eruption of Chile's Calbuco volcano is already being watched with interest by MetService, which operates the Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC). The Wellington VAAC is part of a group of nine such global centres, endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

In New Zealand, the Volcanic Ash Advisory process involves interaction between aircraft operators, Airways Corporation, the Civil Aviation Authority and MetService, with important volcanic information input from volcanologists.

MetService's Wellington VAAC produces Volcanic Ash Advisories (VAA) and Volcanic Ash Graphics (VAG) using ash trajectory models and other supporting information, including reports of observed ash. These forecasts of airborne ash are designed specifically for the aviation industry, to enable safe operation of all flights into and within New Zealand's air space; they are available at http://vaac.metservice.com/

While it's too early in the life of this eruption for MetService to activate its monitoring process (which includes increasing the team of aviation forecasters on duty round the clock), meteorologists are in touch with colleagues at fellow Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres and closely following the eruption's progress.

For more information about the work of the Wellington VAAC, including during the last Chilean volcanic eruption, visit MetService's blog Volcanic ash cloud in the New Zealand area. http://blog.metservice.com/2011/06/3554/

ENDS

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