The Numerical Simulation of Volcanic Ash Dispersion at Aso Caldera Volcano using Ash3D Model

Aso caldera volcano is located in central Kyushu, Japan which is one of the largest caldera volcanoes in the world. Nakadake crater is the only active central cone in Aso caldera. There was an explosive eruption on October 8, 2016, the eruption column height was 11 km, and fallout ash was found 300 km away from the volcano. In this study, we performed a numerical simulation to analyze the ash dispersion and the fallout tephra deposits during this eruption using Ash3D that was developed by the United States Geological Survey. The result showed that the ash would spread to the east and northeast, that could not affect the Korean peninsula, and the volcanic ash was deposited at a place from a distance of 400 km or more in the direction of east and northeast. The result was in close agreement with the identified ashfall deposits. Ash3D can be useful for quick forecast for the effects of hazards caused by volcanic ash.