Early Analysis of Landsat-8 Thermal Infrared Sensor Imagery of Volcanic Activity

The Landsat-8 satellite of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in April 2013. Just weeks after it entered active service, its sensors observed activity at Paluweh Volcano, Indonesia. Given that the image acquired was in the daytime, its shortwave infrared observations were contaminated with reflected solar radiation; however, those of the satellite’s Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) show thermal emission from the volcano’s summit and flanks. These emissions detected in sensor’s band 10 (10.60–11.19 µm) have here been quantified in terms of radiant power, to confirm reports of the actual volcanic processes operating at the time of image acquisition, and to form an initial assessment of the TIRS in its volcanic observation capabilities. Data from band 11 have been neglected as its data have been shown to be unreliable at the time of writing. At the instant of image acquisition, the thermal emission of the volcano was found to be 345 MW. This value is shown to be on the same order of magnitude as similarly timed NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer thermal observations. Given its unique characteristics, the TIRS shows much potential for providing useful, detailed and accurate volcanic observations in the future

Volcanic Hot-Spot Detection Using SENTINEL-2: A Comparison with MODIS−MIROVA Thermal Data Series

In the satellite thermal remote sensing, the new generation of sensors with high-spatial resolution SWIR data open the door to an improved constraining of thermal phenomena related to volcanic processes, with strong implications for monitoring applications. In this paper, we describe a new hot-spot detection algorithm developed for SENTINEL-2/MSI data that combines spectral indices on the SWIR bands 8a-11-12 (with a 20-meter resolution) with a spatial and statistical analysis on clusters of alerted pixels. The algorithm is able to detect hot-spot-contaminated pixels (S2Pix) in a wide range of environments and for several types of volcanic activities, showing high accuracy performances of about 1% and 94% in averaged omission and commission rates, respectively, underlining a strong reliability on a global scale. The S2-derived thermal trends, retrieved at eight key-case volcanoes, are then compared with the Volcanic Radiative Power (VRP) derived from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and processed by the MIROVA (Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity) system during an almost four-year-long period, January 2016 to October 2019. The presented data indicate an overall excellent correlation between the two thermal signals, enhancing the higher sensitivity of SENTINEL-2 to detect subtle, low-temperature thermal signals. Moreover, for each case we explore the specific relationship between S2Pix and VRP showing how different volcanic processes (i.e., lava flows, domes, lakes and open-vent activity) produce a distinct pattern in terms of size and intensity of the thermal anomaly. These promising results indicate how the algorithm here presented could be applicable for volcanic monitoring purposes and integrated into operational systems. Moreover, the combination of high-resolution (S2/MSI) and moderate-resolution (MODIS) thermal timeseries constitutes a breakthrough for future multi-sensor hot-spot detection systems, with increased monitoring capabilities that are useful for communities which interact with active volcanoes

An Overview of Infrared Remote Sensing of Volcanic Activity

Volcanic activity consists of the transfer of heat from the interior of the Earth to the surface. The characteristics of the heat emitted relate directly to the geological processes underway and can be observed from space, using the thermal sensors present on many Earth-orbiting satellites. For over 50 years, scientists have utilised such sensors and are now able to determine the sort of volcanic activity being displayed without hazardous and costly field expeditions. This review will describe the theoretical basis of the discipline and then discuss the sensors available and the history of their use. Challenges and opportunities for future developments are then discussed

Evolution of Increased Volcanic Activity in Arjuno-Welirang Based on LST Analysis of Landsat 8 Satellite Imagery Using GEE Cloud Computing

Typically, monitoring the volcanic activity of a volcano is carried out using volcanic seismic methods. However, this method is technically less flexible. Volcano seismic data is not freely available. Access to these data centers must be authorized by the data authority. Therefore, it is necessary to use other methods as an alternative. The alternative method used in this study is remote sensing using the Landsat 8 satellite sensors. Landsat 8 satellite imagery data can be freely accessed and easily downloaded. Landsat 8 image analysis is implemented with Google Earth Engine (GEE). GEE is a remote sensing image analysis programming tool with a cloud computing platform. The GEE programming implementation is open source. With GEE, the evolution of Arjuno-Welirang volcanic activity can be monitored accurately. The use of GEE with a cloud computing platform also makes it easier to process large remote sensing data because the downloaded file's size is unlimited. GEE has successfully conducted an LST analysis on Landsat 8 satellite imagery of the Arjuno-Welirang complex area in the 2016-2021 range. The LST calculation is performed by adding the surface emissivity correction obtained based on the NDVI value. According to the results of the LST calculations that have been obtained, the surface temperature in the Arjuna Welirang Crater area experienced the highest increase in 2018, reaching 33.94 oC, with a larger contour size of thermal distribution image than the others. This increase in thermal based volcanic activity is in accordance with the increase in seismic activity monitored by the VSI (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia)

Evolution of Increased Volcanic Activity in Arjuno-Welirang Based on LST Analysis of Landsat 8 Satellite Imagery Using GEE Cloud Computing

Typically, monitoring the volcanic activity of a volcano is carried out using volcanic seismic methods. However, this method is technically less flexible. Volcano seismic data is not freely available. Access to these data centers must be authorized by the data authority. Therefore, it is necessary to use other methods as an alternative. The alternative method used in this study is remote sensing using the Landsat 8 satellite sensors. Landsat 8 satellite imagery data can be freely accessed and easily downloaded. Landsat 8 image analysis is implemented with Google Earth Engine (GEE). GEE is a remote sensing image analysis programming tool with a cloud computing platform. The GEE programming implementation is open source. With GEE, the evolution of Arjuno-Welirang volcanic activity can be monitored accurately. The use of GEE with a cloud computing platform also makes it easier to process large remote sensing data because the downloaded file's size is unlimited. GEE has successfully conducted an LST analysis on Landsat 8 satellite imagery of the Arjuno-Welirang complex area in the 2016-2021 range. The LST calculation is performed by adding the surface emissivity correction obtained based on the NDVI value. According to the results of the LST calculations that have been obtained, the surface temperature in the Arjuna Welirang Crater area experienced the highest increase in 2018, reaching 33.94 oC, with a larger contour size of thermal distribution image than the others. This increase in thermal based volcanic activity is in accordance with the increase in seismic activity monitored by the VSI (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia)

SPATIO-TEMPORAL ANOMALIES IN SURFACE BRIGHTNESS TEMPERATURE PRECEDING VOLCANO ERUPTIONS DETECTED BY THE LANDSAT-8 THERMAL INFRARED SENSOR (CASE STUDY: KARANGETANG VOLCANO)

Indonesia's geological as part of the “ring of fire” includes the consequence that community life could be affected by volcanic activity. The catastrophic incidence of volcanic eruptions in the last ten years has had a disastrous impact on human life. To overcome this problem, it is necessary to conduct research on the strengthening of the early warning system for volcanic eruptions utilising remote sensing technology.  This study analyses spatial and temporal anomalies of surface brightness temperature in the peak area of Karangetang volcano during the 2018-2019 eruption. Karangetang volcano is an active volcano located in North Sulawesi, with a magmatic eruption type that releases lava flow. We analyse the anomalies in the brightness temperature from channel-10 of the Landsat-8 TIRS (Thermal Infrared Scanner) time series during the period in question. The results of the research demonstrate that in the case of Karangetang Volcano the eruptions of 2018-2019 indicate increases in the surface brightness temperature of the crater region. As this volcano has many craters, the method is also very useful to establish in which crater the center of the eruption occurred

Evidence for a lava lake on Mt. Michael volcano, Saunders Island (South Sandwich Islands) from Landsat, Sentinel-2 and ASTER satellite imagery

Mt. Michael is an active stratovolcano on Saunders Island in the South Sandwich Islands; a remote, oceanic island arc in the southern Atlantic Ocean, bordering the Southern Ocean. The arc contains the only active volcanoes in the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands British Overseas Territory, yet little is known of their activity. Despite lava lakes being extremely rare with only a few global examples, previous analyses of satellite AVHRR imagery of Mt. Michael in the 1990s showed persistent thermal anomalies not associated with magma overflowing the crater. This suggested the existence of a lava lake inside Mt. Michael's crater. However, their study relied on 1 km resolution imagery, and there have been no long-term investigations to determine if this is a persistent feature

NASA geology program bibliography

A bibliography of scientific papers, articles, and books based on research supported by the NASA Geology Program is given. The citations cover the period 1980 to 1990. An author index is included

Nature and origin of secondary mineral coatings on volcanic rocks of the Black Mountain, Stonewall Mountain, and Kane Springs Wash volcanic centers, southern, Nevada

The following subject areas are covered: (1) genetic, spectral, and LANDSAT Thematic Mapper imagery relationship between desert varnish and tertiary volcanic host rocks, southern Nevada; (2) reconnaissance geologic mapping of the Kane Springs Wash Volcanic Center, Lincoln County, Nevada, using multispectral thermal infrared imagery; (3) interregional comparisons of desert varnish; and (4) airborne scanner (GERIS) imagery of the Kane Springs Wash Volcanic Center, Lincoln County, Nevada