# CMAQ-CCTM error
**URL:** https://forum.cmascenter.org/t/cmaq-cctm-error/479
**Category:** SMOKE
**Created:** [January 15, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.cmascenter.org/t/cmaq-cctm-error/479 "2019-01-15T17:26:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@guodp](https://forum.cmascenter.org/u/guodp)
#### Post date: [January 15, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.cmascenter.org/t/cmaq-cctm-error/479/1 "2019-01-15T17:26:41Z")
When I was running CCTM, CCTM prompted the following error: Is it my setup problem or the emission source problem?
modified aerospc em\_fac
Value for CTM\_PT3DEMIS: Y returning TRUE
Using in-line 3d point source emissions option
Value for IPVERT not defined; returning default: 0
Value for NPTGRPS: 1
Value for PT3DDIAG: N returning FALSE
Value for PT3DFRAC: N returning FALSE
Value for REP\_LAYER\_MIN not defined; returning default: -1
Value for LAYP\_STDATE: 2016001
Value for LAYP\_STTIME: 10000
Value for LAYP\_NSTEPS: 470000
```
Value for PROMPTFLAG: F returning FALSE
NOTE: The number of emission layers is 29 , and the maximum
possible layers is 29
"STK_GRPS_01" opened as OLD:READ-ONLY
File name "/opt/CMAQv5.0.2/data/emis/stack_groups_IN_12US1_C25_2016am.nc"
File type GRDDED3
Execution ID "mcip"
Grid name "CMAQ Emissions"
Dimensions: 80 rows, 90 cols, 1 lays, 16 vbles
NetCDF ID: 26 opened as READONLY
Time-independent data.
>>--->> WARNING in subroutine RDTFLAG
Time step not available in file STK_GRPS_01 for variable XLOCA
M3WARN: DTBUF 1:00:00 Jan. 1, 2016 (2016001:010000)
Could not read XLOCA from STK_GRPS_01
>>--->> WARNING in subroutine PT3D_INIT on PE 000
Could not initialize stack parameters
M3WARN: DTBUF 1:00:00 Jan. 1, 2016 (2016001:010000)
*** ERROR ABORT in subroutine EMIS_INIT on PE 000
Failure initializing plume rise emissions module
Date and time 1:00:00 Jan. 1, 2016 (2016001:010000)
```
---
### Author:  [@lizadams](https://forum.cmascenter.org/u/lizadams)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://forum.cmascenter.org/t/cmaq-cctm-error/479/2 "2019-03-11T16:17:21Z")
The error message says that the timestep is not available in your stack\_groups file.
Can you share a copy of your run script and your CTM\_LOG file?
---
### Author:  [@cgnolte](https://forum.cmascenter.org/u/cgnolte)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.cmascenter.org/t/cmaq-cctm-error/479/3 "2019-03-11T20:22:44Z")
It’s a time-independent file, so the error message saying the timestep is missing is probably a red herring.
The format of the stack\_groups file appears incorrect. There is supposed to be one column, and the number of rows corresponds to the number of point sources in the sector. I suggest you compare to the sample point source files that are distributed with CMAQ, and/or consult the SMOKE documentation for creation of those files.
---
### Author:  [@bbaek](https://forum.cmascenter.org/u/bbaek)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2019, 8:36pm UTC](https://forum.cmascenter.org/t/cmaq-cctm-error/479/4 "2019-03-11T20:36:14Z")
Chris is right. Stack group file is not time dependent and also they are warning message. Error is coming while initializing plume rise. I think @guodp need to check what was the actual error message in a log file.