Volcano observations with ASTER and ASTER image database for volcanoes Urai, Minoru Geological Survey of Japan, AIST

Topics Introduction Overview of ASTER instruments Volcano monitoring with ASTER –Volcanic gas monitoring : Miyake-jima, Japan –Caldera collapse and lava flow : Piton de la Fournaise ASTER image database for volcanoes Conclusions

Introduction Resent volcanic hazard –Eyjafjallajokull 2010 : Over 100,000 flights cancelled –Merapi 2006 : 17,000 people were evacuated –Two people were killed by a pyroclasic flow –Pinatubo 1991 : Up to 800 people were killed –In 1992 and 1993, the average temperature in the Northern Hemisphere was reduced 0.5 to 0.6°C Historic volcanic hazard –Tambora 1815 : 92,000 people were killed –Unzen 1792 : 15,000 people were killed

Introduction ASTER can be used for volcano observations (1)Topographic and geologic analysis, (2)Mapping volcanic products, (3)Eruption plume analysis, (4)Discolored sea water and crater lake monitoring, (5)Generating digital elevation models, (6)Surface temperature mapping,

Overview of ASTER Launch date 18DEC1999 PlatformTerra satellite Orbit16days polar orbit Observation time10:30AM Data recorderyes SubsystemsVNIR, SWIR,TIR Stereo functionyes Total bands14+1 Swath width60km Lifetime6 years Acquired sceneOver 1,800,000 scenes

Overview of ASTER ASTER has nadir (3N) and backward (3B) looking views. 3N and 3B compose a stereoscopic pair. A DEM can be generated from the stereoscopic pair. However, DEM can not be generated cloud covered area and a DEM covers 60 km by 60 km. ASTER stereo image function. (

Miyake-jima is located about 180km south of Tokyo SO 2 -rich plume absorb thermal emission from sea at 8.6µm Cyan color indicates that temperature derived from band 11 is lower than others ASTER TIR RGB : 11, 13, 14 On November 8, 2000 Volcanic gas monitoring : Miyake-jima, Japan

Nadir viewing image Backward viewing image

Volcanic gas monitoring : Miyake-jima, Japan ASTER TIR MODTRAN 2D- SO 2 distribution MODTRAN Plume height SO 2 flux estimation ASTER stereo pair Wind velocity Atmospheric profile Plume height and wind velocity analysis Sea surface temperature SO 2 flux B13B11

Volcanic gas monitoring : Miyake-jima, Japan The estimation of two-dimensional SO 2 distribution

Volcanic gas monitoring : Miyake-jima, Japan Distance from the vent (km) SO2 flux (ton/day) The estimation of SO 2 flux

Caldera collapse and lava flow : Piton de la Fournaise Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes located on the French island of Reunion in the western Indian Ocean. There are three calderas that were formed by progressive eastward slumping of the volcano.

Caldera collapse and lava flow : Piton de la Fournaise On April 2, 2007, a new 1 km long vent opened at 650 m altitude in the southern part of Grand Brule. The lava flows reached the sea. On April 5 to 6 and over the whole following day, the summit (Dolomieu) crater floor collapsed. ASTER VNIR image taken on June 8, 2005

Caldera collapse and lava flow : Piton de la Fournaise October 31, 2006 April 17, 2007

Caldera collapse and lava flow : Piton de la Fournaise May 6, 2007 (after eruption)June 8, 2005 (before eruption) VNIR images with 100 m contour

Caldera collapse and lava flow : Piton de la Fournaise ASTER DEM differenceE-W ASTER DEM profile Depression : 320 m at most Total volume : m 3

Caldera collapse and lava flow : Piton de la Fournaise New lava deposit area : 3.85 km 2 Surface temperature distribution derived from ASTER nighttime observed on May 4, 2007 superimposed on ASTER daytime image observed on June 8, 2005

ASTER image database for volcanoes △ Rank A (104) △ Rank B (220) △ Rank C (640) Volcanoes monitored by ASTER Global volcano monitoring plan with ASTER

ASTER image database for volcanoes Google Earth Version of ASTER image database for volcanoes at

ASTER image database for volcanoes Full resolution display of ASTER image database for volcanoes

Conclusions The ASTER’s ability to monitor volcanic activities, such as thermal anomalies, topographic changes, volcanic gases, among others, has been validated. A web-based ASTER Image Database Volcanoes is opened to the public ( The database contains all ASTER images of 964 active volcanoes.