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Mount Cleveland, Alaska (52°49′N, 169°57′W), located on Chuginadak Island, erupted on 19 February 2001. The atmosphere–volcanic plume interactions that occurred as part of this event led to several serious encounters of commercial aircraft with the ash. A number of continental and oceanic air traffic control areas were affected. Here, a detailed case study of the eruption, subsequent movement of the airborne plume, and operational response is presented. The likelihood of such encounters in the future may be reduced as a result of lessons learned from this event. Some potential new assets for improving the detection of and response to the airborne volcanic ash hazard to aviation also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that reviewed the parameter-elevation regression on independent slopes model (PRISM), its Alaskan input data and its limitations. Patterns of variability in temperature and precipitation from PRISM modeled maps; Relation of the patterns to climactic processes; Alaskan vegetation ecosystem map based on a phenological classification from advanced very high resolution radiometer data.