GIS-based tool to support civil aviation management during explosive volcanic eruptions

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.