Tags: InSAR, ALOS, Earth Observation, Volcano
Publication: TGDaily.com
Publication Date: 11/07/2012

Averaged 2006-2009 ground velocity map of the west Sunda volcanic region, Indonesia, from ALOS InSAR. Positive velocity (red colors) represents movement towards the satellite (e.g. uplift) and negative velocity (blue colors) movement away from the satellite (e.g. subsidence). Image credit: Estelle Chaussard

Scientists from the University of Miami are using satellite data to possibly give advanced warning of volcanic eruptions. Using the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) on the Japanese ALOS satellite, they observed Indonesia’s west Sunda arc to understand how Earth deforms before a volcano eruption.

The team examined 79 volcanoes in the region from 2006 until 2009 using more than 800 InSAR images and identified deformation at six volcanic centers, three of which subsequently erupted.

Preliminary results have proven that Earth inflates before erupting due to the rise of magma; making it the first time volcanologists have been able to make predictions using this evidence. Surveying volcanic regions using this method to forecast eruptions could mean an important improvement for emergency response and saving people’s life in advance.

The next step for the group is to examine other parts of Indonesia and the Philippines using data from the ALOS-2 satellite that will be launched next year.

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