The use of multispectral thermal infrared image data to estimate the sulfur dioxide flux from volcanoes: A case study from Mount Etna, Sicily, July 29, 1986
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (United States)
The authors have found that image data acquired with NASA's airborne Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) can be used to make estimates of the SO[sub 2] content of volcanic plumes. TIMS image data are most applicable to the study of partially transparent SO[sub 2] plumes, such as those released during quiescent periods or nonexplosive eruptions. The estimation procedure is based on the LOWTRAN 7 radiative transfer code, which the authors use to model the radiance perceived by TIMS as it views the ground through an SO[sub 2] plume. The input to the procedure includes the altitudes of the aircraft and ground, the altitude and thickness of the SO[sub 2] plume, the emissivity of the ground, and altitude profiles of the atmospheric pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. They use the TIMS data to estimate both ground temperatures beneath a plume and SO[sub 2] concentrations within a plume. Applying this procedure to TIMS data acquired over Mount Etna, Sicily, on July 29, 1986, the authors estimate that the SO[sub 2] flux from the volcano was approximately 6700 t d[sup [minus]1]. The use of TIMS to study SO[sub 2] plumes represents a bridge between highly localized methods, such as correlation spectroscopy or direct sampling, and small-scale mapping techniques involving satellite instruments such as the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer or Microwave Limb Sounder. The authors require further airborne experiments to refine their estimation procedure. This refinement is a necessary preparation for the scheduled 1998 launch of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflectance Radiometer, which will allow large-scale multispectral thermal infrared image data to be collected over virtually any volcano on Earth at least once every 16 days.
- OSTI ID:
- 6795255
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Vol. 99:B1; ISSN 0148-0227
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
SO2 flux measurements at Mount Etna (Sicily)
Thermal radiance observations of an active lava flow during the June 1984 eruption of Mount Etna
Related Subjects
SULFUR DIOXIDE
EMISSION
FLUX DENSITY
VOLCANIC GASES
REMOTE SENSING
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
INFRARED RADIATION
SULFUR CYCLE
CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUIDS
GASES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATIONS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)