WP2: Space observations
- Satellite images can be used to detect SO2 (GOME-2 image over Hawaii, 17.05.2008)
- Radar images make it possible to generate detailed relief models (TerraSAR-X image)
- ASTER images are useful in hotspot detection (image of Etna, 19.06.2003)
Goal of this work package is to include space based observations into the VFRS because in recent years developments in space based observations have more and more opened up a new field in volcanology through allowing the areal mapping of deformation (Envisat, ERS1,2, ALOS, TerraSAR), the detection of thermal spots (AVHRR, GOES, MODIS, ASTER), and the identification of broad degassing signatures, especially of SO2 (GOME-2). Near real time data are already becoming available with polar orbiting satellites having access times of 2 days or data from the geostationary systems being available every 15 min. The strategy for including space based observations is twofold:
- we will use older satellite images to assess the evolution of deformation and degassing before the crisis, and
- a real novelty of this mobile system is that we will include the near realtime data from TerraSAR, GOME, MODIS which come in about every two days.