On the road to solutions for volcanic ash-affected transport links

Volcanic ash can play havoc with transport infrastructure, disrupting vital networks.

The degree of disruption depends on particle size and deposit thickness, weather conditions, road surface materials and mitigation actions.

“Fragility functions” inform risk assessments, helping to define the probability and extent of damage.

In this study, past thresholds – relating to ash thickness – for transport disruption are reviewed for various surfaces, including road, rail, maritime and airports. These functions are further refined via laboratory experiments that investigate the impact of volcanic ash on surfaces.

The study also establishes new fragility thresholds and functions, applying the ash-settling rate as a hazard intensity metric.

It shows the importance of considering the ash-settling rate, as well as thickness, as critical for measuring hazard intensity, and also highlights the value of considering particle size.

Wider data now offers greater opportunities to refine fragility functions.

These findings highlight the need for rapid and active monitoring and modelling of various ash characteristics during eruptions.

Even a light film of ash can cause potential transport infrastructure disruption.

Tags:airportashdisruptionEmergency Managementhazardinfrastructureintensitymaritimenetworkpublicationsrailroadsurfacetransportvolcanic