Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers

Washington Center:
The Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) is one of nice VAACs around the globe. The Washington VAAC sits within the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) and is part of the Satellite Analysis Branch's (SAB) Volcanic Ash Program. A staff of 12-14 volcano analysts work rotating shifts to ensure 24/7 monitoring of activity across the US including Hawaii, the Caribbean, Central and northern South America (to 10S latitude) including the Galapagos Islands, the Marianas Island, and additional parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Within this region of responsibility, there are 20 Volcano Observatory (VO) groups and 23 Meteorological Watch Offices (MWO). This center and the Alaskan Center discussed below are designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) through Annex 3 to advise on airborne ash. Washington VAAC analysts utilize multiple satellites, webcams, receive information from MWOs, VOs, and use many other tools to help monitor volcanic activity. Volcanic Ash Advisories (VAA) and Volcanic Ash Graphics (VAG) are the official VAAC products used to alert of volcanic activity across the impacted areas and depict how the activity will evolve over a given time range. This information proves valuable to core partners that include Domestic and International Airlines, Air Traffic Control and Operational groups (ARTCCs and ATCs), and many others. The Washington VAAC is the ofical backup to the Buenos Aires, Montreal, and Anchorage VAACs.

Anchorage Center:
Doubling as the Alaskan Aviation Weather Unit, the Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) is responsible for detecting and tracking volcanic ash for more than fifty active volcanoes in Alaska. The VAAC also monitors volcanoes on the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia, watching for downstream impacts on the Anchorage Flight Information Region (FIR). The VAAC is tasked with domestic and international warning responsibilities which include issuing volcanic ash advisories and graphics. Meteorologists also monitor several inactive volcanoes for re-suspended volcanic ash threats. These tasks help fulfill obligations under the International Airways Volcano Watch program. The VAAC forecasters also coordinate with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and international VAAC offices in Washington, D.C., Montreal, and Tokyo.