The main objective of the Pilot is to integrate multi-source data (i.e., ground-based EO, satellite EO, model data, volcanic observatory data) and prototype such a system with tailored and aviation-specific information. To this extent, the main outcome is to showcase the need of such an approach through a visualization platform.

Disasters and Geohazards (assess and monitor volcanic activity)

a) VAACs: institution with the mandate from ICAO to disseminate information on atmospheric volcanic ash clouds.

b) ENAC-Watch Office: department of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority that is responsible for the Italian airspace.              

The main objective of the Pilot is to integrate multi-source data (i.e., ground-based EO, satellite EO, model data, volcanic observatory data) and prototype such a system with tailored and aviation-specific information. To this extent, the main outcome is to showcase the need of such an approach through a visualization platform.

Both VAAC (Toulouse, London, Montreal, and Washington) and Italian Civil Aviation Authority representatives pointed out the importance of this integrative approach for aviation and that the developed methodology offers a solution for a future system to mitigate aviation hazards. Particularly interesting and innovative are the ash vertical distribution and the provision of user-friendly tailored products.

One should be very careful when communicating sensitive information related to aviation operations (e.g., the example of the La Palma eruption in May 2021).

“Meets a real need. Unique App” Bruno, user, on Google Play.

« Simple and fast. Just the tool the mountain community needs to share on safety. I strongly recommend it!” Jean-Christophe, user, on Google Play

“The possibility to transmit in real-time localised hazards to the community of mountaineers is truly unique and of major importance. This is why we have established a key partnership with MountaiNow to foster crowd-sourcing and participate in its future development” Jean Micol, President Swiss Alpine Club, Diablerets.

“We have actively participated, from the beginning, in the testing of MountaiNow. MountaiNow is an innovative app which, exploiting technology, exponentially increases the knowledge of conditions as well as the safety of users” Stefano Cerise, Chief Inspector, Surveillance Corps, Gran Paradiso National Park

Climate change is changing mountains, creating new needs for safety and adaptation. MountaiNow – a live map of mountain hazards for the Alps and the world – was created to meet those needs.

Highly innovative is the combination of real-time in-situ crowdsourcing, space insight, and guided navigation – offering a new/unique set of actionable informationCommon space for the visualization of the data products in a user-centric manner and real-time data delivery during volcanic hazards.

Timely geo-localized information about mountain hazards is still hard to get. Most of the time, people go to the mountains missing critical information. Public/Private actors make decisions missing critical data – impacting thousands of lives and costing the outdoor/tourism/insurance industry millions.

 One key feature of MountaiNow is to allow for the easy capture and real-time sharing of critical hazard observations such as rock-falls, landslides, snow/ice avalanches, glacial lakes, and high river-discharge. Observations of hazard precursor signs such as glacier melt or fractured snow-pack are also includedConsidering the hazardous nature of volcanic eruptions, real-time data provision is the key challenge and this is what makes the difference with respect to the currently used tools.

Demonstration of the service/platform for a Mt Etna eruption in 12 March 2021.

Benefits:

• One single place with information about 4d ash distribution
• Availability of tailored products
• User friendly visualization

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Benefits are multi-dimensional:  Social – Saved lives and less accidents or situations of distress; Economic – higher number of clients for tourism services; and Environmental/Scientific – advanced monitoring of mountain areas and related hazards (e.g. landslides, glacial lake outbursts).

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Learn more about the service: www.mountainow.net: https://explorer.e-shape.adamplatform.eu/ (login protected)

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