The eruption of the volcano closed the European air space – can it happen again – BBC News in Serbian

In April 2010. Europe was closed or partially closed in eight days, which caused chaos for passengers around the world.

Volcano ejaphjadlajekidl in Iceland erupted 14. April, ejecting a huge cloud of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, and weather conditions directed him to Europe.

This eruption, which caused the greatest break in air traffic since World War II, pointed out the unwillingness of the air industry at that moment for the consequences of volcanic activity.

Fifteen years later, the procedures have been changed, but could you like to happen similar to chaos again?

At the end of March, the London Airport Hitrou was closed on the day after the fire in a nearby substation, which caused electricity disappearance and cancellation of 1,300 flights, which hit thousands of passengers.

Today, it is difficult and imagine what in 2010 it meant eight days of complete suspension of air traffic in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe.

At that time, 300 airports were closed, 100,000 flights canceled, 10 million passengers could not travel, and the air industry losses were estimated at about 1.28 billion euros.

‘Black Swan’

The day after the eruption of ejaphjudlajekidlad during which ashes was kicked in the atmosphere, at the height between six and 15 kilometers, where commercial flights are usually performed, the ash cloud began to spread south, to the UK airspace.

According to the international airlines, airplanes were not allowed to fly through any concentration of volcanic ash, so the airspace was soon closed.

Until then, it was never a problem, because most volcanic eruptions were localized, and the airlines could safely bypass ash clouds.

« It was what many called the theory of the ‘Black Swan’ theory, which usually has an extreme consequence, because Icelandic volcanoes were already erupted and continued to do so, » says Jonathan Nicolson from the British Directorate of Civil Aviation.

The passengers were trapped around the world, desperately looking for any way to get home.

An event that ‘opened eyes’ all over the world

The British Meteorological Service manages one of the nine Warning Centers in the world, and is in charge of issuing instructions and warnings to eruptions in the Northeastern area of ​​the North Atlantic, which Iceland belongs.

After erupting Vulcan ejaphjadlajekidl, the British Meteorological Service has done computer modeling based on prognostic data.

Dr Metju Hort, Head of the Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling Department, says it was the most intense period in his professional career.

« That event opened eyes around the world.

« This eruption in Iceland was unique because it happened in the area where the northern winds brought ashes right into the UK airspace and along transatlant air corridors, » he says.

As the days passed without a hint that ashes would withdraw, everyone was under pressure to find a way to reopen the airspace and be safe.

Airline companies and engine manufacturers have had to conduct research to determine which volcanic ash concentration will not damage the jet engines.

Roll-Roys Company (Rolls-Royce) She led pioneering tests for the first time, she managed to determine the level of volcanic ash, which does not significantly influence the work of the jet engine over a period of time.

« It is combined with our meteorological service forecasts to open air space in zones where the concentration of ash was low, » Nikolson explains.

After the international teleconference, led by the Directorate of Civil Aviation, 20. April agreed that the concentration of two milligrams of ash per cubic meter of air are acceptable and safe.

The same night re-opened airspace, and flights were normally done.

Volcano ejaphjadlajekidl continued to erupt during June and occasionally sent clouds with a higher concentration of ash towards UK.

However, thanks to the new rules, authorities managed to hold most of the airspace open, with the occasional closures of individual local airports

Has something changed?

After this eruption, research and working groups are constantly implemented and further assess the existing procedures and regulations.

« Everything that was done incredibly quickly, is 90 percent of what we have today … but it was then supported and translucent in specific security measures, » Nicolson says.

Today, there are three levels of contamination volcanic ash – low, medium and high – with clearly defined guidelines for how long the pilot can fly in the given conditions without significant motorcycle damage.

« If something similar happened today, the decision on when and where the airlines may be made by airline based on licenses, and their internal security assessments, and in line with the weather, » Nikolson explains.

« It would be different from the carrier to the carrier, depending on which the concentration of ashes are considered safe ».

Also, huge progress has been made in the field of monitoring and forecasting the movement of volcanic ash.

After Eruption, 2010. The British Meteorological Service sets permanent digital optical measuring instruments of the leaders that emit laser rays and can measure the concentration of ash in the atmosphere.

New satellites around the world are also placed that allow scientists to monitor the concentrations of ash every 15 minutes.

In addition, progress has been made in computer modeling that allows better understanding of physics and behavior of different shapes and particles of volcanic ash particles in the atmosphere.

Can something similar can happen?

Thanks to the lessons of 2010. years and numerous improvements, today UK and Europe are significantly more efficient for managing situations when a large conclusion of volcanic ash appears.

In the previous months, fewer eruptions in Iceland have been reported, due to which the population from Grindavik was evacuated and the famous Banja Blue Lagoon was closed (Blue Lagoon).

However, these eruptions did not cause concerns for air traffic, because it is mainly about smaller eruptions that expel large and slow lava streams, unlike the iron eruption from the ejaphjadlajeKidlajeKidlajeKidlje.

If the event said similarly today, Dr. Hort and Nicolson believe that « would not cause any disorders », mostly because now, ashes above the UK airspace, was relatively low and safe for flying.

However, Dr. Hort warns: « There can always be stronger eruption. »

And if some volcano has been kicked by high concentrations of ash, which would reach the UK and the rest of Europe, « there would be an interruption of air traffic, because it is a matter of safety, » Nicolson emphasizes.

The BBC in Serbian is from now on and on the morning, follow us Here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vajiberu. If you have a topic suggestion for us please contact (Email Protected)