Abstract. Between December 1991 and March 1993 a continuous effusive eruption at MountEtna built a 7.6 km 2 lava flow field. Flows extended to within 1 km of the town of Zafferana before a successful artificial diversion was carried out higher up the volcano. During this eruption the spaceborne advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) acquired 308 images on which the activity could be detected. Since these data can be freely and directly available, such coverage potentially allows regular, real-time monitoring. Ground observations and a flow map that we produced using a SPOT image and electronic distance measurement allowed us to develop and test data extraction techniques. AVHRR radiance maps were consistent with known locations of surface activity. These documented the transition from channel to tube fed phases, the changing threat to Zafferana, and flow diversion. Quantitative analysis of the AVHRR data enabled estimation of active lava area, thermal flux, effusion rates, and total flow field volume. Our estimates for eruption rate and total flow field volume, 5.6 to 7.6 m3/s and 220 x 106 to 300 x 106 m 3, respectively, are in agreement with published ground-based estimates of 5.8 m3/s and 235 x 106 m 3. These correlations demonstrate the high degree of confidence that can now be placed in interpretations of AVHRR time series for eruptions where ground-based data are scanty.
Abstract. Lava flows continue to move after they have been emplaced by flow mechanisms. This movement is largely vertical and can be detected using differential synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry. There are three main components to this motion: (1) movement of surface scatterers, resulting in radar phase decorrelation, (2) measurable subsidence of the flow surface due to thermal contraction and clast repacking, and (3)
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