We present a software tool (yet under development) for short and long-term civil aviation management
in case of explosive volcanic eruptions. The tool covers the needs of stakeholders involved
in civil aviation management and interested in taking decisions based on a range of possible tephra
dispersal scenarios and/or ash dispersal forecasts. The GIS-based tool allows to display hazard and
vulnerability information, overlap maps to and estimate expected impacts (airports disrupted, routes
cancelled, etc.). We present the structure of the tool underlining the scientific background and
technical aspects of each element.
Hazard and vulnerability data are stored in a spatial database specifically designed to store deterministic
and probabilistic data sources. The database has a central role for the risk management process,
acting as a repository of maps to be used by the stakeholders for different purposes. To our knowledge,
this is the first “ad hoc” database proposed to store information about tephra dispersal hazard
and vulnerability.
The tool allows to overlap hazard and vulnerability data and estimate expected impacts through
spatially-based rules. Vulnerability and impact assessments are implemented by means of plug-ins
embedded in the GIS friendly interface. The analysis has been automated for the European air traffic
management during explosive eruptions. Results are relevant for the long-term risk assessment in
the European area. Regarding short-term, we present an example of application during an explosive
eruption at an active Icelandic volcano.
This GIS-based tool improves civil aviation management by automating short and long-term analyses
and making them faster and repeatable. Although this is only a prototype and still needs further
development, the up-to-date work can be a relevant contribution to the scientific community.
