Sample Images Mount St. Helens Dome Thermal Map (298K image)
Since 1988, researchers at JPL have been monitoring several Cascade volcanoes via airborne
remote sensing surveys. This image depicts the lava dome of Mount St. Helens as it appeared on 1
September, 1988. The perspective view, which simulates a view of the dome from the north, was
created by registering the image data to a 1:4000 scale digital elevation model (DEM). The image
data was acquired with the Thermal Infrared Multspectral Scanner (TIMS), which measures thermal radiance in six spectral channels
between 8 and 12 micrometers. The construction of the DEM was a joint effort between JPL and the
USGS. Data sets such as the one depicted here are used to monitor changes changes in the size or
pattern of hot spots on the dome. The hot spots, which appear as bright blue spots in the image,
are typically the result of fumarolic activity on the dome. JPL has recently initiated TOPSAR surveys of Mount St. Helens (as well as other Cascade
volcanoes) in an effort to monitor changes in morphology.
Etna SO2 plume (310K image)
This image depicts the summit crater complex of Mount Etna on 29 July 1986. As with the Mount
St. Helens image, these image data were acquired with TIMS.
The two orange features furthest to the the left of the image are summit craters, which are
approximately 700 to 1000m in diameter. The tephra deposits surrounding the craters appear blue in
this color-composite image, while the majority of the lava flows in the image are displayed in
purple. The sulfur dioxide (SO2) plume that eminated from the volcano appears in shades of yellow,
due to the strong absorption of ground radiance near 8.5 micrometers. These TIMS data, together with radiative transfer modeling, allowed us to
estimate the SO2 flux from Mount Etna at the time of the
TIMS overflight. Our estimate of 6700 metric tons per day compares favorably with the reported
quiescent flux level of 5000 tons/day. For more information on the estimation procedure, see
Realmuto et al. (1994) (reference listed below).
Pre-launch EOS activities
Map low-temperature thermal anomalies using TIMS (ASTER analog)
observations of Cascade volcanoes. Study the temporal changes in these thermal maps. Combine
digital elevation models with thermal maps to do a complete thermal analysis.
Continue improving and testing the algorithm for mapping
SO2 using TIMS data, in preparation for an algorithm to be
used with ASTER.
EOS mission activities
Produce maps of SO2 from ASTER data, and understand the
uncertainties on those SO2 estimates (sensitivity of the estimates to various parameters).
Produce maps showing the location and magnitude of low-temperature thermal anomalies in volcanic regions.
Demonstrate the use of low-temperature thermal anomaly maps to study volcanic processes.
Produce atmospherically corrected ASTER images of volcanoes.
Some recent related publications
Bogliolo MP, MF Buongiorno, T Caltabiano, S Salvi, S
Teggi, MJ Abrams, DC Pieri, and VJ Realmuto (in press, 1999) Use of remote sensing data for
estimates of physical-chemical parameters in volcanic areas, Acta Vulcanologica.
Gillespie, A, S Rokugawa, T Matsunaga, JS Cothern, S
Hook, and AB Kahle (1998) A temperature and emissivity separation algorithm for Advanced
Spaceborne Thermal Emission and reflection Radiometer (ASTER) images, IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote
Sens., 36: 1113-1126.
Hook, SJ, TJ Cudahy, AB Kahle, and LB Whitbourn (1998)
Synergy of active and passive airborne thermal infrared systems for surface compositional mapping,
Jour. Geophys. Res., 103: 18269-18276.
Ranson, KJ, GJ Collatz, DJ Diner, AB Kahle, and VV
Salomonson (1998) EOS AM-1 platform, instruments, and scientific data, IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote
Sens., 36: 1039-1041.
Yamaguchi, Y, AB Kahle, H Tsu, T Kawakami, and M Pniel
(1998) Overview of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and reflection Radiometer (ASTER), IEEE
Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., 36: 1062-1071.
Pieri, DC, AP Khrenov, TP Miller, SE Zharinov, V
Realmuto, M Abrams, LS Glaze, AB Kahle, V Drozhnin, V Dvigalo, V Kirianov, E Abbott, and S
Chernobieff (1997) Joint effort results in first TIMS survey of Kamchatka volcanoes, Eos Trans.
AGU, 78: 125, 128.
Realmuto, VJ, AJ Sutton and T Elias (1997)
Multispectral thermal infrared mapping of sulfur dioxide plumes - a case study from the East Rift
Zone of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, Jour. Geophys. Res., 102: 15057-15072.
Schaefer, SJ, JB Kerr, MM Millan, VJ Realmuto, AJ
Krueger, NA Krotkov, C Seftor, and IE Sprod (1997) Geophysicists unite to validate volcanic SO2
measurements, Eos Trans. AGU, 78: 217 and 223.
Bogolio, MP, MF Buongiorno, S Salvi, S Teggi, S
Pugnahi, MJ Abrams, DC Pieri, VJ Realmuto, and T Caltabiano (1996) Ground measurements of physical
parameters at Vulcano island and Mount Etna in support of the MIVIS remote sensing campaign
"Sicilia 94," Insituto Nazionale di Geofisica, publication no. 577, Rome, Italy, 67
pp.
Pieri, DC, AP Khrenov, TP Miller, SE Zharinov, V
Realmuto, M Abrams, LS Glaze, AB Kahle, V Drozhnin, V Dvigalo, V Kirianov, E Abbott, and S
Chernobieff (1997) Joint effort results in first TIMS survey of Kamchatka volcanoes, Eos Trans.
AGU, 78: 125, 128.