Volcano detection and monitoring using AVHRR data: the Krafla eruption, 1984

Abstract

Many volcanic eruptions go essentially unmonitored. Potentially the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), with its global coverage, frequent return period, and sensitivity in the thermal infrared, represents a data source capable of monitoring surface volcanic activity unrecorded by ground observations or other satellite sensors. In this study an attempt is made to demonstrate this potential by extracting information for the 1984 eruption at Krafla, Iceland. Seven cloud-free AVHRR images were available for the 14 day period of eruptive activity. The surface activity was detectable as a major thermal anomaly in all three of the longer wavelength channels and was vigorous enough during one night-time pass to be detectable in the near-infrared channel (0.725-1.1μm). Channel 2 and 4 radiance data were used to calculate the size and temperature of sub-pixel heat sources within the lava flow field, and a heat source at 1050° C was estimated as occupying an area of approximately 240000 m², which was distributed across 20 pixels. Detection and measurement of volcanic heat sources at such short wavelengths using low spatial resolution data has rarely been reported before. Field reports and maps were used to guide and confirm the analysis. Digital number variations within the anomaly could be related to various known features of the eruption. To monitor the eruption a weighted average method was derived and used to sharpen up the images, and the density sliced sharpened images enabled the development of the eruption to be mapped. Results compared well with field reports, suggesting that AVHRR and similar systems could be a useful source of data for monitoring eruptions where contemporaneous field observations are unavailable or incomplete.