Abstract
<p>The detection of volcanic plumes produced during explosive eruptions is important to improve our understanding on dispersal processes and reduce risks to aviation operations. The ability of Global Position-ing System (GPS) to retrieve volcanic plumes is one of the new challenges of the last years in volcanic plume detection. In this work, we analyze the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) data from 21 permanent stations of the GPS network of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Osservatorio Etneo, that are located on the Mt. Etna (Italy) flanks. Being one of the most explosive events since 2011, the eruption of November 23, 2013 was chosen as a test-case. Results show some variations in the SNR data that can be correlated with the presence of an ash-laden plume in the atmosphere. Benefits and limitations of the method are highlighted.</p>
Highlights
A Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system was able to retrieve important features of the volcanic plumes [Scollo et al, 2012] and a doppler radar installed in the Montagnola site, a few kilometres from the volcanic vent [Gouhier et al, 2011] detected the beginning and the end of the paroxysmal phases
The Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) signal shows important features that can be used in volcanic plume detection because the SNR can directly measure signal attenuations or blockages
During the 23 November 2013 eruption, the SNR signal showed the presence of volcanic ash
Summary
Since 2011 powerful lava fountain events have generated volcanic plumes that rose up to several kilometres above sea level. Those episodes were characterized by an emergent phase of strombolian activity, a paroxysmal phase, where an eruption column was produced, and a final phase characterized by a reduction in volcanic tremor. The presence of the volcanic plume may be detected by the analysis of the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal. The ability one of the most powerful events occurring at of GPS to detect volcanic plumes was in- Etna volcano since 2011: the 23 November 2013 vestigated by Aranzulla et al [2013]. [2013] suggested that the GPS network at Etna was able to detect the volcanic plume Al. [2013] suggested that the GPS network at Etna was able to detect the volcanic plume
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