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New research funded by the Earthquake Commission (EQC) has developed a way of calculating the direction of ash fall in the event of a volcanic eruption.
According to research team leader Dr. Simon Barker, from Victoria University of Wellington, the study offers information on where the ash is most likely to fall, and its thickness, in different parts of New Zealand.
Barker explained the work is based on the giant Taupō volcano. The group came up with map showing where ash would move in one of thousands of possible simulations following a hypothetical Taupō eruption, as well as how thick the resulting deposits would be.
Barker noted weather conditions and wind direction is a big factor in calculating the direction of the ash fall. For example, a westerly wind will blow the ash over Hawke’s Bay and out to sea, and a southerly wind will blow it up towards Auckland.
“By adding in the interaction with the weather systems, we can also work out how long it will take for the ash to start falling in different locations,” he added. “This kind of information can help emergency managers work out which areas need immediate evacuation.”
EQC manager of research strategy and investment Richard Smith, meanwhile, said the study has made significant advances in helping understand the impact that volcanic activity would have on regions across the country.
“This is a big help for emergency management planning and risk reduction activity,” he noted.
