Using WiMAX to Improve Volcano Monitoring during an Emergency: A Feasibility Study of the WEIRD System Applied to the Campi Flegrei Volcanic Area Scenario (Southern Italy)

Abstract

IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks (hereafter IEEE 802.16; online at http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/802.16.html) is one of the most promising mobile and fixed broadband wireless access technologies for next-generation all-IP networks in the 3.5 GHz band (European spectrum profile). Commonly known as Universal WiMAX (worldwide inter-operability for microwave access), this access technology reaches a high bit rate and covers large areas with a single base station, making it possible to offer connectivity to end users in a cost-effective way. A further useful property of the WiMAX technology is that the transmission can be used both in line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environments, allowing highly feasible communications (WiMAX Forum 2004). Thanks to these features, IEEE 802.16 opens the way to the use of wireless technologies in the environmental monitoring of areas such as seismic and volcanic zones. Volcanic eruptions, in particular, are among the highest natural risks in the world. About 600 volcanoes have erupted in historical times, and many are located near densely populated areas. An adequate monitoring system is essential to understanding the physical processes preceding an eruption and for mitigating the risk of such an event. Active volcano surveillance is primarily based on the analysis of geophysical and geochemical parameters gathered by monitoring networks. Seismological methods are among the most useful methods for monitoring volcanoes. In fact, several types of seismic signals, e.g. , volcano-tectonic earthquakes (VT), long-period events (LP), and volcanic tremors, can occur before and during an eruption (McNutt 2005). The analysis and interpretation of these seismic signals is a very important task for volcanic eruption forecasting. WiMAX technology can be applied to provide broadband wireless access in volcano monitoring scenarios to solve some of the problems that prevent us from improving surveillance of volcanic activities during emergencies. In particular, this paper focuses on a novel …