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Estimating Particle Sizes, Concentrations, And Total Mass Of Ash In Volcanic Clouds Using Weather Radar, David M. Harris, William I. Rose

Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Publications

Observations of the March 19, 1982 ash eruption of Mount St. Helens, made by the National Weather Service (NWS, Portland, Oregon) on 5-cm radar, were used to estimate the volume of the ash cloud (2000 ±500 km³), the concentration of ash (0.2–0.6 g m⁻³). and the total mass of ash erupted (3–10×10¹¹ g). The position of the cloud was also tracked by radar. Particle sizes in the ash cloud were estimated from settling velocities suggested by decreases in maximum ash cloud height with time as it moved away from the volcano. The March 19, 1982 …