OpenPDAC
OpenPDAC helps scientists understand and predict one of nature's most dangerous phenomena: volcanic eruptions. When volcanoes explode, they create deadly clouds of hot gas, ash, and rock fragments that can race down mountainsides at incredible speeds, destroying everything in their path.
OpenPDAC can simulate these complex volcanic processes with remarkable detail. The software models different phases of an eruption, from tiny ash particles to car-sized chunks of volcanic debris, all mixed with hot gases of various compositions. This allows scientists to study how volcanic material moves through the air and across the ground during an eruption.
The code is designed for volcano researchers, emergency planners, and hazard assessment teams who need to understand where volcanic dangers might strike. By running simulations before disasters occur, OpenPDAC helps communities prepare for potential eruptions and saves lives by improving evacuation plans and hazard maps.
OpenPDAC is...
Specialised in Simulating Pyroclastic Density Currents
OpenPDAC is designed to simulate the behaviour of pyroclastic density currents, which are fast-moving, ground-hugging flows of hot gas, ash, and volcanic material. These flows are among the most dangerous volcanic phenomena, and accurate simulation is key for hazard assessment and emergency planning.
Based on a Depth-Averaged Approach
The code uses depth-averaged equations derived from the laws of mass and momentum conservation. This approach allows it to capture the complex behaviour of PDCs in a computationally efficient way, making it suitable for operational and large-scale simulations.
Highly Customisable
OpenPDAC can be tuned to model different volcanoes and eruption scenarios, using digital elevation models (DEMs) and site-specific parameters. This makes it a flexible tool for researchers and civil protection agencies working in regions with active volcanoes.
Used in Real Hazard Scenarios
The code has been used in real-world hazard assessments, such as for Mt. Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei in Italy. It helps simulate possible future eruptions and define hazard zones, supporting the development of emergency response strategies.
Behind OpenPDAC
OpenPDAC is developed and maintained by a multidisciplinary team of volcanologists, mathematicians, and computational scientists. Led by INGV (Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology) and several partners across Europe. OpenPDAC builds on this legacy as an open-source evolution of the earlier PDAC code.
