Detection of Coal Mine Fire Using Landsat-8 OLI/TIRS Satellite Data in Ramgarh and Hazaribagh Coalfields, India

Abstract

Uncontrolled coal fires can be a major disaster for all coal-producing countries. They not only induce severe impacts on coal resources but also cause massive damage to the environment, including soil, water and crops, they can destroy infrastructure and impact human health and safety. Coal-burning in both underground and especially in surface coal mines that release particulates and various toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrous oxides (NOx) that further contribute in global warming. Spontaneous combustion inside the coal seams causing coal fires further leads to land subsidence and atmospheric pollution in the area. Apart from spontaneous combustion anthropogenic sources (crude mining practices) are also responsible for igniting the fire. Remote sensing provides an ideal tool to detect and monitor coal fire in the affected areas. The present study utilizes Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) thermal infrared sensor (TIRS) satellite data of January 2019 to detect coal fire pockets in various coal mines in Ramgarh and Hazaribagh districts, Jharkhand, India. An automated method is used based on land surface temperatures (LST) retrieved thermal data and coal fires related to thermal anomalies was identified in the study area. Delineated LST map based on band 10 indicates variation between 12.21 and 31.46 °C, whereas LST map prepared by band 11 shows between 8.13 and 23.50 °C in the study area. The study revealed some active and abandoned mine fire spots located at Saunda, Lapanga, Kuju, Pundi, Bhurkunda and Urimari that need special attention, so that coal mine subsidence triggered by sub-surface coal fires can be averted. The study also provides a perspective that may help local planners, administrators and responders to create or update the regional/district disaster management plans, allocate resources for risk mitigation, enhance community preparedness and prepare budgets for cost-effective emergency planning around the coal mining region.