Volcanic ash can cause many hazards for air-traffic, agriculture, and human health. An ash cloud is not the same as a dust cloud; ash is generally composed mostly of glassy fragments or shards. Ash is formed by the fragmentation of magma during an eruption. During explosive eruptions ash particles can buoyantly rise-up into the stratosphere, where strong wind conditions can transport these ash clouds 100's of kilometers. Airborne ash is of significant concern to airplanes. When ash gets into an airplane engine, it will cause engine failure. Obviously pilots like to know where the ash clouds are located so that they can alter their flight plan. On the ground breathing in ash can cause health problems, (not to mention the health problems associated with being buried by ash). Ash can kill crops, cause roof collapses and short out powerlines. All of these reasons and more are why the development of ash tracking models is important to volcanologists.

Next time read about the models used to track ash plumes and even test out one of these models yourself.