Analysis of the ETNA 2015 Eruption Using WRF–Chem Model and Satellite Observations
The aim of the present work is to utilize a new functionality within the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF–Chem) that allows simulating emission, transport, and settling of pollutants released during the Etna 2015 volcanic activities. This study constitutes the first...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-10-01
|
| Series: | Atmosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/11/1168 |
| _version_ | 1797549433962889216 |
|---|---|
| author | Umberto Rizza Eleonora Brega Maria Teresa Caccamo Giuseppe Castorina Mauro Morichetti Gianmarco Munaò Giorgio Passerini Salvatore Magazù |
| author_facet | Umberto Rizza Eleonora Brega Maria Teresa Caccamo Giuseppe Castorina Mauro Morichetti Gianmarco Munaò Giorgio Passerini Salvatore Magazù |
| author_sort | Umberto Rizza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of the present work is to utilize a new functionality within the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF–Chem) that allows simulating emission, transport, and settling of pollutants released during the Etna 2015 volcanic activities. This study constitutes the first systematic application of the WRF–Chem online-based approach to a specific Etna volcanic eruption, with possible effects involving the whole Mediterranean area. In this context, the attention has been focused on the eruption event, recorded from 3–7 December 2015, which led to the closure of the nearby Catania International Airport. Quantitative meteorological forecasts, analyses of Etna volcanic ash transport, and estimates of the ash ground deposition have been performed. In order to test the performance of the proposed approach, the model outputs have been compared with data provided by satellite sensors and Doppler radars. As a result, it emerges that, as far as the selected eruption event is concerned, the WRF–Chem model reasonably reproduces the distribution of SO<sub>2</sub> and of volcanic ash. In addition, this modeling system may provide valuable support both to airport management and to local stakeholders including public administrations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:14:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-30a09aefe85d46619f18dabe40f9219e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:14:39Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-30a09aefe85d46619f18dabe40f9219e2023-11-20T19:02:49ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332020-10-011111116810.3390/atmos11111168Analysis of the ETNA 2015 Eruption Using WRF–Chem Model and Satellite ObservationsUmberto Rizza0Eleonora Brega1Maria Teresa Caccamo2Giuseppe Castorina3Mauro Morichetti4Gianmarco Munaò5Giorgio Passerini6Salvatore Magazù7Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (ISAC), National Research Council (CNR), Unit of Lecce, 73100 Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering and Mathematics Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, ItalyDepartment of Mathematical and Informatics Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences (MIFT), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Mathematical and Informatics Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences (MIFT), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, ItalyInstitute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (ISAC), National Research Council (CNR), Unit of Lecce, 73100 Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Mathematical and Informatics Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences (MIFT), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering and Mathematics Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, ItalyDepartment of Mathematical and Informatics Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences (MIFT), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, ItalyThe aim of the present work is to utilize a new functionality within the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF–Chem) that allows simulating emission, transport, and settling of pollutants released during the Etna 2015 volcanic activities. This study constitutes the first systematic application of the WRF–Chem online-based approach to a specific Etna volcanic eruption, with possible effects involving the whole Mediterranean area. In this context, the attention has been focused on the eruption event, recorded from 3–7 December 2015, which led to the closure of the nearby Catania International Airport. Quantitative meteorological forecasts, analyses of Etna volcanic ash transport, and estimates of the ash ground deposition have been performed. In order to test the performance of the proposed approach, the model outputs have been compared with data provided by satellite sensors and Doppler radars. As a result, it emerges that, as far as the selected eruption event is concerned, the WRF–Chem model reasonably reproduces the distribution of SO<sub>2</sub> and of volcanic ash. In addition, this modeling system may provide valuable support both to airport management and to local stakeholders including public administrations.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/11/1168WRF–Chemair qualityvolcanic eruptionash falloutMount Etnanumerical simulations |
| spellingShingle | Umberto Rizza Eleonora Brega Maria Teresa Caccamo Giuseppe Castorina Mauro Morichetti Gianmarco Munaò Giorgio Passerini Salvatore Magazù Analysis of the ETNA 2015 Eruption Using WRF–Chem Model and Satellite Observations Atmosphere WRF–Chem air quality volcanic eruption ash fallout Mount Etna numerical simulations |
| title | Analysis of the ETNA 2015 Eruption Using WRF–Chem Model and Satellite Observations |
| title_full | Analysis of the ETNA 2015 Eruption Using WRF–Chem Model and Satellite Observations |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of the ETNA 2015 Eruption Using WRF–Chem Model and Satellite Observations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of the ETNA 2015 Eruption Using WRF–Chem Model and Satellite Observations |
| title_short | Analysis of the ETNA 2015 Eruption Using WRF–Chem Model and Satellite Observations |
| title_sort | analysis of the etna 2015 eruption using wrf chem model and satellite observations |
| topic | WRF–Chem air quality volcanic eruption ash fallout Mount Etna numerical simulations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/11/1168 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT umbertorizza analysisoftheetna2015eruptionusingwrfchemmodelandsatelliteobservations AT eleonorabrega analysisoftheetna2015eruptionusingwrfchemmodelandsatelliteobservations AT mariateresacaccamo analysisoftheetna2015eruptionusingwrfchemmodelandsatelliteobservations AT giuseppecastorina analysisoftheetna2015eruptionusingwrfchemmodelandsatelliteobservations AT mauromorichetti analysisoftheetna2015eruptionusingwrfchemmodelandsatelliteobservations AT gianmarcomunao analysisoftheetna2015eruptionusingwrfchemmodelandsatelliteobservations AT giorgiopasserini analysisoftheetna2015eruptionusingwrfchemmodelandsatelliteobservations AT salvatoremagazu analysisoftheetna2015eruptionusingwrfchemmodelandsatelliteobservations |