On-line image analysis of explosive activity captured by surveillance cameras allows major eruptive events forecasting

The use of stationary remote cameras for visual monitoring of the eruptive activity was implemented in the monitoring system of Etna and Stromboli volcanoes since 1993 and 1994 respectively. Camera records of eruptive activity became the major information source for describing eruptive phenomena occurred at Etna and Stromboli in the last years. However, the main goal of the continuous visual monitoring of active basaltic volcanoes is to analyze eruptive activity images in search of precursors of the paroxysmal events that suddenly interrupt the persistent mild strombolian activity. Stromboli represent the perfect test site for this investigation because its typical activity consists of intermittent mild explosions lasting a few seconds, which take place at different vents and at variable intervals. However, the routine activity can be interrupted by more violent, paroxysmal explosions, that eject m-sized scoriaceous bombs and lava blocks to a distance of several hundreds of meters from the craters, endangering the numerous tourists that watch the spectacular activity from the volcano's summit located about two hundreds meters from the active vents. Using image analysis we identified any change of the explosive activity trend that preceded a particular eruptive event, like paroxysmal explosions, fire fountains and lava flows. The analysis include the counting of the explosions occurred at the different craters and the parameterization in classes of intensity for each explosion on the base of tephra dispersion and kinetics energy. From September 2001 an on-line image analyzer called VAMOS (Volcanic Activity MOnitoring System) operates detection and classification of explosive events in quasi real-time. The system has automatically recorded and analyzed the change in the energetic trend that preceded the 20 October 2001 paroxysmal explosion that killed a woman and the strong explosive activity that preceded the onset of 28 December 2002 lava flow and landslide forming eruption

Kinematics and Magnetic Properties of a Light Bridge in a Decaying Sunspot

We present the results obtained by analyzing high spatial and spectral resolution data of the solar photosphere acquired by the CRisp Imaging SpectroPolarimeter at the Swedish Solar Telescope on 6 August 2011, relevant to a large sunspot with a light bridge (LB) observed in NOAA AR 11263. These data are complemented by simultaneous Hinode Spectropolarimeter (SP) observation in the Fe I 630.15 nm and 630.25 nm lines. The continuum intensity map shows a discontinuity of the radial distribution of the penumbral filaments in correspondence with the LB, which shows a dark lane (about 0.3" wide and about 8.0" long) along its main axis. The available data were inverted with the Stokes Inversion based on Response functions (SIR) code and physical parameters maps were obtained. The line-of-sight (LOS) velocity of the plasma along the LB derived from the Doppler effect shows motions towards and away from the observer up to 0.6 km/s, which are lower in value than the LOS velocities observed in the neighbouring penumbral filaments. The noteworthy result is that we find motions toward the observer up to 0.6 km/s in the dark lane where the LB is located between two umbral cores, while the LOS velocity motion toward the observer is strongly reduced where the LB is located between an umbral core at one side and penumbral filaments on the other side. Statistically, the LOS velocities correspond to upflows/downflows andcomparing these results with Hinode/SP data, we conclude that the surrounding magnetic field configuration (whether more or less inclined) could have a role in maintaining the conditions for the process of plasma piling up along the dark lane. The results obtained from our study support and confirm outcomes of recent magnetohydro-dynamic simulations showing upflows along the main axis of a LBs

On-line image analysis of the Stromboli volcanic activity recorded by the surveillance camera helps the forecasting of the major eruptive events

The typical activity of Stromboli consists of intermittent mild explosions lasting a few seconds, which take place at different vents and at variable intervals, the most common time interval being 10-20 minutes. However, the routine activity can be interrupted by more violent, paroxysmal explosions, that eject m-sized scoriaceous bombs and lava blocks to a distance of several hundreds of meters from the craters, endangering the numerous tourists that watch the spectacular activity from the volcano's summit located about two hundreds meters from the active vents. On average, 1-2 paroxysmal explosions occurred per year over the past century, but this statistic may be underestimated in absence of continuous monitoring. For this reason from summer 1996 a remote surveillance camera works on Stromboli recording continuously the volcanic activity. It is located on Pizzo Sopra la Fossa, 100 metres above the crater terrace where are the active vents. Using image analysis we seeks to identify any change of the explosive activity trend that could precede a particular eruptive event, like paroxysmal explosions, fire fountains, lava flows. From the day of the camera installation up to present 12 paroxysmal events and lava flows occurred. The analysis include the counting of the explosions occurred at the different craters and the parameterization in classes of intensity for each explosion on the base of tephra dispersion and kinetics energy. The plot of dissipated energy by each crater versus time shows a cyclic behavior with max and min of explosive activity ranging from a few days to a month. Often the craters show opposite trends so when the activity decreases in a crater, increases in the other. Before every paroxysmal explosions recorded, the crater that produced the event decreased and then stopped its activity from a few days to weeks before. The other crater tried to compensate increasing its activity and when it declined the paroxysmal explosion occurred suddenly at the former site. From September 2001 an on-line image analyzer called VAMOS (Volcanic Activity MOnitoring System) operates detection and classification of explosive events in quasi real-time. The system has automatically recorded and analyzed the change in the energetic trend that preceded the 20 October 2001 paroxysmal explosion that killed a woman and the strong explosive activity that preceded the onset of 28 December 2002 lava flow eruption

A Bayesian approach for the assessment of shallow and deep aquifers susceptibility to point sources contamination in the Province of Milan, Italy

In densely populated areas, urban and industrial activities are responsible for groundwater quality deterioration due to point sources contamination (Kuroda and Fukushi, 2008). In the Province of Milan (Northern Italy), the available water-quality data indicate the occurrence of high PCE+TCE and chromium concentrations in the unconfined shallow as well as in the confined deep aquifers. To cope with this problem, statistical methods can represent reliable tools to provide key information for groundwater management and protection

A Bayesian approach for the assessment of shallow and deep aquifers susceptibility to point sources contamination in the Province of Milan, Italy

In densely populated areas, urban and industrial activities are responsible for groundwater quality deterioration due to point sources contamination (Kuroda and Fukushi, 2008). In the Province of Milan (Northern Italy), the available water-quality data indicate the occurrence of high PCE+TCE and chromium concentrations in the unconfined shallow as well as in the confined deep aquifers. To cope with this problem, statistical methods can represent reliable tools to provide key information for groundwater management and protection

Automatic Classification of eruptive events by the VAMOS system

An automatic system named VAMOS (Volcanic Activity MOnitoring System) for monitoring volcanic activity at Mt. Etna and Stromboli volcanoes, is at the present under test at the data collection center at IIV (Istituto Internazionale di Vulcanologia, CNR, Catania). This system allows automatic recognition of volcanic activity by on-line processing of images collected by the surveillance cameras positioned close to the summit crater of two above mentioned volcanoes which are worldwide known to be characterized by a persistent eruptive activity. Based on this automatic system, a new software tool to extract quantitative information from collected images is now under developing. Several tasks have been planned to solve by using this tool such as the automatic classification of recorded events and the computation of relaxed energy based on stereo-vision and thermal images. One of the first result of the undertaken research activity has been the automatic classification of the type of volcanic events and the localization of the eruptive event

The 2007 Stromboli eruption: Event chronology and effusion rates using thermal infrared data

Using thermal infrared images recorded by a permanent thermal camera network maintained on Stromboli volcano (Italy), together with satellite and helicopter‐based thermal image surveys, we have compiled a chronology of the events and processes occurring before and during Stromboli’s 2007 effusive eruption. These digital data also allow us to calculate the effusion rates and lava volumes erupted during the effusive episode. At the onset of the 2007 eruption, two parallel eruptive fissures developed within the northeast crater, eventually breaching the NE flank of the summit cone and extending along the easternmargin of the Sciara del Fuoco. These fed amain effusive vent at 400m above sea level to feed lava flows that extended to the sea. The effusive eruption was punctuated,on 15 March, by a paroxysm with features similar to those of the 5 April paroxysm that occurred during the 2002–2003 effusive eruption. A total of between 3.2 × 106 and 11 × 106 m3 of lava was erupted during the 2007 eruption, over 34 days of effusive activity. More than half of this volume was emplaced during the first 5.5 days of the eruption. Although the 2007 effusive eruption had an erupted volume comparable to that of the previous (2002–2003) effusive eruption, it had a shorter duration and thus a mean output rate (=total volume divided by eruption duration) that was 1 order of magnitude higher than that of the 2002– 2003 event (∼2.4 versus 0.32 ± 0.28 m3 s−1). In this paper, we discuss similarities and differences between these two effusive events and interpret the processes occurring in 2007 in terms of the recent dynamics witnessed at Stromboli

The 2007 Stromboli eruption: event chronology and effusion rates using thermal infrared data

Using thermal infrared images recorded by a permanent thermal camera network maintained on Stromboli volcano (Italy), together with satellite and helicopter-based thermal image surveys, we have compiled a chronology of the events and processes occurring before and during Stromboli’s 2007 effusive eruption. These digital data also allow us to calculate the effusion rates and lava volumes erupted during the effusive episode. At the onset of the 2007 eruption, two parallel eruptive fissures developed within the North East crater, eventually breaching the NE flank of the summit cone and extending along the eastern margin of the Sciara del Fuoco. These fed a main effusive vent at 400 m a.s.l. to feed lava flows that extended to the sea. The effusive eruption was punctuated, on 15 March, by a paroxysm with features similar to the 5 April paroxysm that occurred during the 2002-03 effusive eruption. A total of between 3.2 x 106 m3 and 11 x 106 m3 of lava was erupted during the 2007 eruption over 34 days of effusive activity. More than half of this volume was emplaced during the first 5.5 days of the eruption. Although the 2007 effusive eruption had a comparable erupted volume to the previous (2002-03) effusive eruption, it had a shorter duration and thus a mean output rate (= total volume divided by eruption duration) that was one order of magnitude greater than the 2002-03 event (~2.4 m3 s-1 compared with 0.32±0.28 m3 s-1). In this paper, we discuss similarities and differences between these two effusive events, and interpret the processes occurring in 2007 in terms of the recent dynamics witnessed at Stromboli

Dynamic properties along the neutral line of a delta spot inferred from high-resolution observations

Delta (δ) spots are complex magnetic configurations of sunspots characterized by umbrae of opposite polarity sharing a common penumbra. In order to investigate the fine structure of the region separating the two magnetic polarities of a δ spot, we studied the morphology, the magnetic configuration, and the velocity field in such a region using observations of active region (AR) NOAA 11267 obtained with the CRisp Imaging SpectroPolarimeter (CRISP) at the Swedish Solar Telescope on 2011 August 6. The analysis of CRISP data shows upflows and downflows of ~ ± 3 km s–1 in proximity of the δ spot polarity inversion line (PIL), and horizontal motions along the PIL of the order of ~1 km s–1. The results obtained from the SIR inversion of CRISP data also indicate that the transverse magnetic field in the brighter region separating the two opposite magnetic polarities of the δ spot is tilted about ~45° with respect to the PIL. Solar Dynamics Observatory/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager observations confirm the presence of motions of ~ ± 3 km s–1 in proximity of the PIL, which were observed to last 15 hr. From the data analyzed, we conclude that the steady, persistent, and subsonic motions observed along the δ spot PIL can be interpreted as being due to Evershed flows occurring in the penumbral filaments that show a curved, wrapped configuration. The fluting of the penumbral filaments and their bending, continuously increased by the approaching motion of the negative umbra toward the positive one, give rise to the complex line-of-sight velocity maps that we observed. © 2014. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved

The signature of longevity in Sicily

Ageing is a natural and physiological condition that is the result of compromised stress response, homeostatic imbalance and increased risk of developing diseases. However, if aging with good health and functions (successful ageing) and aging with disease and disability (unsuccessful ageing) depends on a combination of “positive features”, including genetic, epigenetic and phenotypic characteristics in combination with favourable environment, economic status and social involvement. In our study, we summarize some key points for the identification of a longevity signature, with a particular focus on long-living Sicilian individuals and centenarians. Analysing three different Sicilian cohorts (young, people with no centenarian parents and long-living individuals (LLI) aged >90) we found APOE e3e3 in our LLIs and no presence of e4. Regarding FOXO rs2802292 G-allele (G>T) we did not observe an association with longevity, probably because of the small sample of centenarians studied. Regarding haematological and anthropometric results, it is still difficult to point specific longevity features and so far, we cannot specify a single one. On the other hand, we believe that the synergy among genetics and environment might create successful interaction to achieve and obtain effective longevity