Quantifying recent pyroclastic and lava flows at Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica, using medium‐footprint lidar

Abstract

Arenal volcano is a small, active stratovolcano in Costa Rica. In 1998 and 2005, NASA's Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor (LVIS) was used to collect wide‐swath 3‐dimensional topographic images of the volcano. The LVIS is a full‐waveform, scanning, medium‐sized footprint, airborne laser altimeter system. By digitally recording the shape of the returning laser pulse (waveform), the LVIS provides a precise and accurate view of both the sub‐canopy and canopy‐top topographies as well as the vertical and horizontal structure of vegetation at 15–25 m horizontal resolution. By comparing georeferenced waveform data collected in 1998 and 2005, we mapped lava and pyroclastic flows deposited during this period. The active crater grew by 3.82 m yr−1. A flow volume estimate of 2.19 × 107 m3 (Dense Rock Equivalent of 1.89 × 107 m3 or 0.085 m3s−1) was obtained for the period 1998 to 2005. Precise elevation and elevation change data such as those provided by the LVIS are essential to calculate eruption volume and to study magma‐supply dynamics, as well as assess the danger posed by the volcano to the local population from hazards such as pyroclastic flows.