Monitoring of volcanic eruptions and determination of SO2 plume height from GOME-2 measurements.

Abstract

Satellite-based remote sensing measurements of atmospheric sulphur dioxide (SO2) provide valuable information on anthropogenic pollution and volcanic activity. Sensors like GOME-2 on MetOp-A make it possible to monitor SO2 emissions on a global scale and daily basis. SO2 total column amounts are retrieved in near-real time using the UV range of backscattered sunlight making it possible to detect and track volcanic eruption plumes as a valuable tool for aviation warning. For aviation safety the correct determination of the plume height is a central issue. Therefore a novel method has been developed for the determination of the plume height in near-real time based on the operational DOAS retrieval combined with an iterative look-up table (LUT) approach. The method has been applied to the eruption of Eyjafjöll volcano, April - May 2010, and to the eruption of Kilauea, July 2008.