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Monitoring of volcanic hot spots and plumes
Worksheet Introduction

 
The monitoring of volcanoes is very important for our safety and for the environment. The detection of volcanic eruptions by infrared radiometry is particularly important. Thermal infrared sensors measure brightness and temperature. By detecting a ‘hot spot’ (a normalised index calculated by thermal IR bands exceeding a certain threshold), warning of a volcanic eruption can be given. Individual ground-based volcano observatories exist, but on a global scale volcanic activity can only be monitored from space.
 
The monitoring of a volcanic plume is also important. Volcanic ash that spreads into the atmosphere poses a serious threat to air traffic. It is therefore crucial to know the amount of ash present in the atmosphere, as well as the location and height of the volcanic plume and its development. Near real-time (NRT) is required for such observations, which are a key factor in terms of natural disasters. Links to operational web services and data are also given. We will see how satellite data can be used for the following:

  • thermal hot spot monitoring
  • volcanic plume monitoring
  • disaster relevant near real-time (NRT) warning and data
 
 
Data:
 
  • MODIS = Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer
  • two NASA satellites: Terra (since 1999) and Aqua (since 2002)
  • spatial resolution = 1km (some bands available in 250m and 500m)
  • temporal resolution = one day and one night pass by each satellite every 48 hours = 4 observations in 2 days
  • 36 bands: visual, near-IR, mid-IR, thermal IR
  • suitable for plume as well as thermal hot spot detection and monitoring

 
 
BandBandwidth [µm]Use for volcanology
10.620 - 0.670Plume RGB: 1-4-3
30.459 - 0.479Plume RGB: 1-4-3
40.545 - 0.565Plume RGB: 1-4-3
213.929 - 3.989Hot Spot
223.929 - 3.989Hot Spot
3110.780 - 11.280Plume, Hot Spot
3211.770 - 12.270Plume, Hot Spot
 
MODIS data

20. 07. 2001: 201-stretched_1-4-3
22. 07. 2001: 203-stretched_1-4-3
23. 07. 2001: 204-stretched_1-4-3
24. 07. 2001: etna_mod_2001-205

The 24.07.2001 image will be used in this exercise.
 
 
Preparation
 

  • Download the zip file called Etna_MODIS.zip, unzip it, and save the files on your hard drive
  • Read the Volcanoes Introduction
  • Open LeoWorks

 
 
 


Etna
Introduction
Monitoring of volcanic hot spots and plumes
Exercise 1: Exploring the volcanoExercise 2: Hot spot and plume detectionExercise 3: Monitoring a plume - animation
Eduspace - Download
Etna_MODIS.zip
Eduspace - Software
LEOWorks 3LEOWorks 3 Tutorial
 
 
 
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