Satellite-based detection of volcanic sulphur dioxide from recent eruptions in Central and South America

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Authors
Loyola, D.
Van Geffen, J.
Valks, P.
Erbertseder, T.
Van Roozendael, M.
Thomas, W.
Zimmer, W.
Wißkirchen, K.
Discipline
Physical sciences
Subject
detection method
emission
modeling
natural hazard
plume
satellite altimetry
sulfur dioxide
three-dimensional modeling
volcanic ash
volcanic eruption
Central America
South America
Audience
Scientific
Date
2008Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
Volcanic eruptions can emit large amounts of rock fragments and fine particles (ash) into the atmosphere, as well as several gases, including sulphur dioxide (SO2). These ejecta and emissions are a major natural hazard, not only to the local population, but also to the infrastructure in the vicinity of volcanoes and to aviation. Here, we describe a methodology to retrieve quantitative information about volcanic SO2 plumes from satellite-borne measurements in the UV/Visible spectral range. The combination of a satellitebased SO2 detection scheme and a state-of-the-art 3D trajectory model enables us to confirm the volcanic origin of trace gas signals and to estimate the plume height and the effective emission height. This is demonstrated by case-studies for four selected volcanic eruptions in South and Central America, using the GOME, SCIAMACHY and GOME-2 instruments.
Citation
Loyola, D.; Van Geffen, J.; Valks, P.; Erbertseder, T.; Van Roozendael, M.; Thomas, W.; Zimmer, W.; Wißkirchen, K. (2008). Satellite-based detection of volcanic sulphur dioxide from recent eruptions in Central and South America. , Advances in Geosciences, Vol. 14, 35-40, DOI: 10.5194/adgeo-14-35-2008.Identifiers
scopus: 2-s2.0-37749039345
Type
Article
Peer-Review
Yes
Language
eng