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July 29, 2013

Damaging volcanic ash stays well beyond welcome


Volcanic ash can become a multimillion-dollar nightmare, lingering in the skies, getting into engines and damaging aircraft. With the emergence of aviation in the last 50 years as a key component of global travel and transport, the importance of understanding how long ash is suspended in the atmosphere and how far it is transported has taken on greater importance. With support from NSF, volcanologist Dork Sahagian and his colleagues are learning more about the aerodynamic properties of ash, including how long different sizes and shapes stay in the atmosphere.

Credit: National Science Foundation


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