Abstract
Most of the world’s volcanoes are in developing countries, which characteristically have poor internal communications and only rudimentary geological and geophysical survey programmes. Data from satellites can be used to monitor volcanic activity in these regions, and in some cases to give prior warning of eruptions. Three aspects of volcanism can be measured in this way: 1) movement of eruption plumes, which is relevant to fall-out hazards and aircraft safety; 2) changes in thermal radiation from the ground, which can sometimes give warning of eruption hazards; 3) output of gases such as sulphur dioxide, which can be a good indicator of the likelihood of eruption. Future satellite systems may be able to offer a comprehensive global volcano monitoring system, with two extreme options: 1) centralized monitoring (with responsibility for continent-sized areas), recording and processing the highest quality data transmitted by satellites; and 2) local monitoring within provincial volcano observatories. The latter option is feasible today, at least for eruption plume monitoring, using a small antenna to receive image signals from weather satellites and a simple microcomputer as a display system. The total cost for adequate equipment may in some cases be no more than £5000 (US$8000) per station.
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© 1992 G.J.H. McCall, D.J.C. Laming and S.C. Scott
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Rothery, D.A. (1992). Monitoring and warning of volcanic eruptions by remote sensing. In: McCall, G.J.H., Laming, D.J.C., Scott, S.C. (eds) Geohazards. AGID Report Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2310-5_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2310-5_4
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