Enhanced volcanic hot-spot detection using MODIS IR data: results from the MIROVA system

Abstract

We describe a new volcanic hotspot detection system, named Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA), based on the analysis of infrared data acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer sensor (MODIS). MIROVA uses the middle infrared radiation (MIR), measured by MODIS, in order to detect and measure the heat radiation deriving from volcanic activity. The algorithm combines spectral and spatial principles, allowing the detection of heat sources from 1 megawatt (MW) to more than 10 gigawatt (GW). This provides a unique opportunity to: (i) recognize small-scale variations in thermal output that may precede the onset of effusive activity; (ii) track the advance of large lava flows; (iii) estimate lava discharge rates; (iv) identify distinct effusive trends; and, lastly, (v) follow the cooling process of voluminous lava bodies for several months. Here we show the results obtained from data sets spanning 14 years recorded at the Stromboli and Mt Etna volcanoes, Italy, and we investigate the above aspects at these two persistently active volcanoes. Finally, we describe how the algorithm has been implemented within an operational near-real-time processing chain that enables the MIROVA system to provide data and infrared maps within 1 -4 h of the satellite overpass.

Effusive crises at Piton de la Fournaise 2014–2015: a review of a multi-national response model

“…TADR derivation using MIROVA MIROVA (Middle InfaRed Observation of Volcanic Activity) is an automated global hot spot detection system run at the Università di Torino (Coppola et al 2016). The system is based on near-real time processing of MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to produce hot spot detection, location and tracking products (Fig.…”

“…MODIS acquires data of the entire Earth's surface in 36 wavebands and offers a temporal coverage of ∼4 images per day at a spatial resolution of 1 km in the infrared (IR) bands, specifically bands 21 and 22 (3.929-3.989 μm, low and high gain, respectively), 31 (10.78-11.28 μm) and 32 (11.77-12.27 μm). Using MODIS, MIROVA completes automatic detection and location of high-temperature thermal anomalies, and provides a quantification of the volcanic radiant power (VRP), within 1 to 4 h of each satellite overpass (Coppola et al 2016). With each overpass, thermal maps (in .kmz format for use with Google Earth) and VRP time-series are updated on the MIROVA website (www.mirovaweb.it).…”

Risk evaluation, detection and simulation during effusive eruption disasters

“…Part 2 turns to operational hot spot tracking and data dissemination systems, such as MYVOLC (Ferrucci & Hirn 2016), MIROVA (Coppola et al 2015), HOTSAT and HOTVOLC (Gouhier et al 2016). We also include a consideration of two new perspectives on how to interpret thermal radiance time series extracted from satellite data in terms of lava physical parameters using laboratory analogue experiments and independent component analysis (Barnie & Oppenheimer 2015).…”

Assessing Performance of the RSTVOLC Multi-Temporal Algorithm in Detecting Subtle Hot Spots at Oldoinyo Lengai (Tanzania, Africa) for Comparison with MODLEN

“…Among the space-based sensors, suited to monitor active volcanoes, several studies have been performed using the AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer), aboard NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and METOP (Meteorological Operational (Meteorological Operational Satellites) satellites (e.g., [16][17][18][19][20]). MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), aboard NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Earth Science satellite missions Terra and Aqua., due to its spectral features, and to a good trade-off between temporal (4 passages per day) and spatial (1 km) resolution, has further extended detection capabilities of active lava flows, enabling also their quantitative characterization (e.g., [20][21][22][23][24][25][26]). MODIS offers in fact some spectral channels in the MIR (Medium InfraRed) band sensitive to hot surfaces, with the channel 21 (3.929-3.989 µm) having a better dynamic range than the other space-based IR sensors (it saturates at nearly 500 K in comparison with ~330-340 K of traditional MIR systems).…”

“…MIROVA (Middle Infrared Observation of Volcanic Activity) has been operational since 2013, providing information about thermal anomalies and Volcanic Radiative Power (VRP), at several volcanoes within 1 to 4 h of each satellite overpass [25,26]. RSTVOLC is a multi-temporal method that was tested with success in different geographic areas [27,28], revealing the occurrence of possible thermal precursory signals of some explosive eruptions, e.g., Reference [24].…”