Three-years of SO2 flux measurements of Mt. Etna using an automated UV scanner array: comparison with conventional traverses and uncertainties in flux retrieval

Routine measurements of SO2 flux using the traverse method on Mt. Etna (Italy) were augmented in late 2004 when an array of automatic scanning ultraviolet spectrometers was installed. Each instrument allows one SO2 scan to be recorded every ~6 min. Here we report the methods that we developed to automatically and robustly transform SO2 profiles into SO2 flux data. Radian geometry and Fast Fourier Transform algorithm were used for reducing plume cross sections and for discriminating between volcanic plumes from those produced by water vapour clouds. Uncertainty in flux measurements depends on the accuracy of plume-height estimation, on assumptions concerning plume-geometry, and on the quality of the retrieved SO2 amounts. We compare 3 years of flux measurements made using both the automated network and “conventional” traverse methods beneath the plume. We found a good agreement between the datasets, both in terms of magnitude and in temporal variations. These results validate the Etna SO2 flux monitoring system. Emission rates are available to the 24-hour manned operations room via intranet, providing real-time information on degassing rates and plume location

First observational evidence for the CO2-driven origin of Stromboli’s major explosions

We report on the first detection of CO2 flux precursors of the till now unforecastable “major” explosions that intermittently occur at Strombolivolcano (Italy). An automated survey of the crater plume emissions in the period 2006–2010, during which 12 such explosions happened, demonstrated that these events are systematically preceded by a brief phase of increasing CO2/SO2 weight ratio (up to >40) and CO2 flux (>1300 t d−1) with respect to the timeaveraged values of 3.7 and 500 t d−1 typical for standard Stromboli’s activity. These signals are best explained by the accumulation of CO2-rich gas at a discontinuity of the plumbing system (decreasing CO2 emission at the surface), followed by increasing gas leakage prior to the explosion. Our observations thus supports the recent model of Allard (2010) for a CO2-rich gas trigger of recurrent major explosions at Stromboli, and demonstrates the possibility to forecast these events in advance from geochemical precursors. These observations and conclusions have clear implications for monitoring strategies at other open-vent basaltic volcanoes worldwide

Novel retrieval of volcanic SO2 abundance from ultraviolet spectra

The recent development of fixed networks of scanning ultraviolet spectrometers for automatic determination of volcanic SO2 fluxes has created tremendous opportunities for monitoring volcanoes but has brought new challenges in processing of the substantial data flow they produce. A particular difficulty in standard implantation of differential optical absorption (DOAS) methods is the requirement for a clear-sky (plume-free) background spectrum. Our experience after four years of measurements with two UV scanner networks on Etna and Stromboli shows that wide plumes are frequently observed precluding simple selection of clear-sky spectra. We have therefore developed a retrieval approach based on simulation of the background spectrum. We describe the method here and tune it empirically by collecting clear, zenith sky spectra using calibration cells containing known amounts of SO2. We then test the performance of this optimised retrieval using clear-sky spectra collected with the same calibration cells but for variable scan angles, time of day, and season (through the course of 1 year). We find in all cases acceptable results (maximum ~12% error) for SO2 column amounts. The method is therefore very suitable for automated SO2-plume monitoring

SO2 AND ASH VOLCANIC PLUME RETRIEVALS FROM THE 24 NOVEMBER 2006 Mt. ETNA ERUPTION USING MSG-SEVIRI DATA: SO2 VALIDATION AND ASH CORRECTION PROCEDURE

Estimation of the daily trend of sulfur dioxide and ash from the thermal infrared measurements of the Spin Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI), on board the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) geosynchronous satellite, has been carried out. The SO2 retrieval is validated vicariously by using satellite sensors and with ground measurements. The 24 November 2006 tropospheric eruption of Etna volcano is used as a test case. MSG-SEVIRI is an optical imaging radiometer characterized by 12 spectral channels, a high temporal resolution (one image every 15 minutes), and a 10 km2 footprint. The instrument’s spectral range includes the 7.3 and 8.7 mm bands (channels 6 and 7) used for SO2 retrieval and the 10.8 and 12.0 mm (channels 9 and 10) split window bands used for ash detection and retrievals. The SO2 columnar abundance and ash are retrieved simultaneously by means of a Look-Up Table least squares fit procedure for SO2 and using a Brightness Temperature Difference algorithm for ash. The SO2 retrievals obtained using different satellite sensors such as AIRS and MODIS have been carried out and compared with SEVIRI estimations. The results were validated using the permanent mini-DOAS ground system network (FLAME) installed and operated by INGV on Mt. Etna. Results show that the simultaneous presence of SO2 and ash in a volcanic plume yields a significant error in the SO2 columnar abundance retrieval in multispectral Thermal Infrared (TIR) data. The ash plume particles with high effective radius (from 1 to 10 mm) reduce the top of atmosphere radiance in the entire TIR spectral range, including the channels used for the SO2 retrieval. The net effect is a significant SO2 overestimation. To take this effect into account a novel ash correction procedure is presented and applied to the retrieval