Volcanology Remote Sensing

The remote sensing arm of the volcanology group handles satellite data from Kamchatka through Yellowstone.

Satellite images are viewed and manipulated in order for scientists to locate "hotspots", which may indicate possible volcanic activity or ash clouds on a daily basis. Over time, images can be used to note an increase in size of a lava dome or the gradual heating of a specific volcano.

Kasatocki August 2008 Ash Clouds using reverse absoption method.

Satellite images are viewed and manipulated on a daily basis in order for scientists to locate and track volcanic ash clouds, which may threaten the 20,000 airline passengers and millions of pounds of cargo that fly over the North Pacific region every day. In addition, airborne particle dispersion models, such as the PUFF particle-dispersion model have been developed to predict the movement and dispersion of volcanic ash clouds on the time scale of hours to days.