Tracking microphysical variations in emissions from Karymsky volcano using MISR multi-angle imagery, and implications for volcano geologic interpretation

Abstract

Differences between the retrievals for Karymsky volcano's ash-rich plumes and the sulfur-rich plumes from the 2014-2015 eruption of Bárðarbunga (Iceland) highlight the ability of MISR to distinguish particle types from such events. Plumes emitted at Karymsky prior to 2010 contain the sulfate proxy. After 2011, plumes contain similar particle components, but with varying fractions of absorption linked to timing within respective eruption phases. From the 1.1 km spatial-resolution 20 retrievals within 30-220 km plumes, particle fallout, physical aggregation, and chemical evolution are indicated by the particle property variations observed downwind. In addition, changes in plume properties retrieved from the remote-sensing observations over time are interpreted in terms of activity cycles within the volcano itself, corroborated to the extent possible with suborbital data.