WRF-CHEM MODEL OUTPUT ANALYSIS FOR MOUNT SEMERU VOLCANIC ASH DISTRIBUTION ON 4 DECEMBER 2021

• Main Author: Delfira
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/68288
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

On December 4, 2021, at 14.50 WIB, Mount Semeru erupted in East Java. Volcanic eruptions can produce volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide (SO2) which will be emitted into the atmosphere. When a volcanic eruption occurs, the volcanic ash produced will reach a certain height called the injection height. It is important to know the height of the volcanic ash injection because it will affect the distribution of volcanic ash emitted into the atmosphere. This study uses a numerical weather prediction model combined with chemical parameters, namely the Weather Research Forecasting-Chemistry (WRF-Chem) Model. This model allows the simulation of the emission, transport, and deposition of aerosols generated during volcanic activity. The initial and boundary data used in this study are the Global Forecast System (GFS) for the global atmosphere model and the mass data for the eruption of Mount Semeru obtained using the Mastin method approach. The results of this study indicate that with increasing injection height, the distribution of volcanic ash produced is wider, the velocity of volcanic ash distribution is higher, and the concentration of volcanic ash is greater. The injection height of 12,192 m has a distribution of volcanic ash that is close to Darwin's VAAC with distribution directly to the southwest from Mount Semeru. As a result, it is necessary to define the injection height well so that the resulting simulation is more accurate. In addition, the WRF-Chem Model can provide benefits in the world of aviation because it can predict the direction and distribution of volcanic eruptions so that it will reduce the risk of losses from volcanic eruptions.