ARL Director Ariel Stein was appointed by the Secretary of Interior to a two-year term to serve on the National Volcano Early Warning System Advisory Committee (NVEWSAC). As part of this committee, he will help the Secretary with the implementation of the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System and work with subject matter experts at ARL to gather data for NVEWSAC decisions and recommendations.

The United States has about 170 young volcanoes, half of which are dangerous due to the communities that would be affected by, and the way which they, erupt. The National Volcano Early Warning System is a national plan developed to monitor volcanoes. The goal is to ensure monitoring of the most hazardous volcanoes well in advance of any activity and for scientists to improve timelines and accuracy of forecasts so citizens have adequate time to take action.

ARL is a leader in research to improve volcanic ash dispersion forecasts and develops, updates, and maintains the HYSPLIT model which the National Weather Service uses operationally to forecast the transport and dispersion of volcanic ash.