EXPLOSIVE ERUPTIONS OF ETNA VOLCANO SERIOUSLY THREATEN AVIATION SAFETY IN THE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN REGION

This paper discusses the Etna volcano in eastern Sicily, Italy, and its effect on aviation safety. It notes that the frequency of Etna's eruptions have increased in the last four centuries. The eruptions often occur in short time spans, such as 14 episodes in 16 days in 1989, and 64 episodes in five months in 2000. An aircraft accident occurred during this last period, in April 2000, when an Airbus 320 leaving from Catania Airport encountered an ash cloud from Etna. The encounter with the volcanic ash cloud damaged cockpit windshields.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Coordinator, Meteorological Services & Support Research

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• Authors:
  • Coltelli, M
  • Del Carlo, P
• Conference:
  • 2nd International Conference on Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety
  • Location: Alexandria, Virginia
  • Date: 2004-6-21 to 2004-6-24
• Publication Date: 2004-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 3p
• Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety, June 21-24, 2004, Alexandria, Virginia

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aviation safety; Clouds; Cockpits; Volcanic ash; Volcanic eruptions; Volcanoes; Windshields
• Identifier Terms: Airbus A320; Catania-Fontanarossa Airport
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aircraft damage
• Geographic Terms: Etna volcano; Sicily (Italy)
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00988856
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 21 2005 12:00AM