A Code with a History
“I started working on FALL3D back in 2006, almost 20 years ago, during my postdoc at the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV),” says Arnau Folch, Principal Investigator of ChEESE and a research professor at CSIC. “Since then, I’ve been one of the main developers of the code.”
Originally designed to simulate the dispersal of volcanic ash and tephra, FALL3D has evolved into a versatile tool. Over the years, researchers have expanded its capabilities, and today, it can model a wide range of airborne particles, from aerosols to radionuclides and other pollutants.
Beyond Volcanic Eruptions
FALL3D has become indispensable for a variety of applications.
“You can use the code to forecast volcanic ash fallout on the ground—to predict how thick the deposits will be,” explains Folch. “But at the same time, you can also use it for air quality monitoring, since it provides concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere. That’s crucial for both environmental agencies and civil aviation.”
Airlines and air traffic controllers rely on FALL3D to reroute flights and avoid dangerous ash clouds, preventing costly disruptions and ensuring passenger safety. Civil protection agencies use its forecasts to assess risks and implement timely safety measures. Decision-makers benefit from its predictive capabilities for long-term planning, while scientists continue refining their understanding of volcanic processes through its simulations.
A Collaborative Effort for the Future
FALL3D started as an INGV project, but over time, it has grown into a collaborative community code. “It’s now developed by several institutions, including CSIC and others,” Folch explains. As part of ChEESE, the model is being optimized for high-performance computing, enhancing both speed and accuracy. With ongoing improvements and a push toward exascale computing, FALL3D remains at the cutting edge of geophysical modeling.
With a continuously expanding global community, FALL3D has become an essential tool for academia, research institutions, and operational agencies worldwide. Its proven ability to model volcanic ash clouds and validate predictions ensures timely and accurate hazard assessments. In a world where natural disasters can have global consequences, tools like FALL3D are more essential than ever. By turning complex atmospheric data into actionable insights, this key objective of this model is helping us prepare for the unpredictable.
To hear more from Arnau Folch about the development and impact of FALL3D, check out the full video here:
> Check out the FALL3D page.
Published on March 12 2025.
By Aerton Guimarães and Varvara Vedia
ChEESE-2P Dissemination Team
