The Eyjafjallajökull ash plume – Part 2: Simulating ash cloud dispersion with REMOTE

Abstract

The recent eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano caused extensive disruption across Europe. In this paper, we describe the volcanic ash parameterisation incorporated in the regional climate model (REMOTE) for forecasting volcanic ash dispersion. We investigate model sensitivity to emission parameters including eruption column height and vertical release distribution. Model results over a number of key ash incursion events are assessed in terms of agreement with both ground based measurements and retrieved LIDAR data at a number of European sites. ► The capability of a regional climate model to predict volcanic ash dispersion was assessed. ► Sensitivities to emission heights and line source flux distribution are clearly illustrated. ► Model output validated using available in-situ measurements.