Guidance

Transport hazard summary: volcanic eruptions

Helps UK transport organisations plan for and respond to risks associated with volcanic eruptions.

• From: Department for Transport and Met Office
• Published: 16 December 2025

Documents

Transport hazard summary: volcanic eruptions

PDF, 847 KB, 9 pages

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Details

This summary identifies some of the main risks to aviation and other transport caused by volcanic ash and gas in the atmosphere as a result of volcanic eruptions in other countries. It also provides advice to help mitigate and plan for these risks.

Direct impacts on transport from volcanic eruptions include:

• disruption to air travel due to volcanic ash clouds, leading to flight delays, diversions and cancellations
• potential damage to aircraft engines and external surfaces if they encounter volcanic ash in the atmosphere

This forms part of the Transport hazards summaries series, which helps organisations understand hazards that can impact UK transport.

Published 16 December 2025