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We present a collection of eight reflectance spectra representative of Mt. Etna volcano lava flows. The reflectance spectra were measured with a FieldSpecPro from 350 nm to 2500 nm during a fieldwork in June 2007. The reflectance has been compared with reflectance obtained by multispectral Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and by hyper spectral EO1-Hyperion satellites. Prior the comparison, reflectance spectra have been convolved with ASTER and EO1-Hyperion spectral functions. The results show percentage errors in accordance to those present in literature in the ASTER SWIR range. However, some differences have been confirmed for the ASTER reflectance product (ASTER_07) in visible channels. Regarding EO1-Hyperion, a good agreement of reflectance against field measurement has been found resulting in 5% percentage maximum error in the VIS and up 30% in SWIR spectral range. The capacity of reproducing spectral feature by EO1-Hyperion has been checked on bright pixels (ice-snow) in the acquired image.

Extreme environments like active volcanoes exhibit many difficulties in being studied by in situ techniques. For example, during eruptions, summit areas are very hard to be accessed because of logistics problems and/or volcanic hazards. The use of remote sensing techniques in the last 20 years by satellite or airborne platforms has proven their capabilities in mapping and monitoring the evolution of volcanic activity. This approach has become increasingly important, as much interest is actually focused on understanding precursory signals to volcanic eruptions. In this work we verify the use of cutting-edge technology like unmanned flying system thermally equipped for volcanic applications. We present the results of a flight test performed by INGV in collaboration with the University of Bologna (Aerospace Division) by using a multi-rotor aircraft in a hexacopter configuration. The experiment was realized in radio controlled mode to overcome many regulation problems which, especially in Italy, limit the use of this system in autonomous mode. The overall goal was not only qualitative but also quantitative oriented. The system flew above an Italian mud volcano, named Le Salinelle, located on the lower South West flank of Mt. Etna volcano, which was chosen as representative site, providing not only a discrimination between hot and cold areas, but also the corresponding temperature values. The in-flight measurements have been cross-validated with contemporaneous in-situ acquisition of thermal data and from independent measurements of mud/water temperature.

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