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Volcano Remote Sensing
Measurements of the fluxes and chemical compositions of gases released from volcanoes are important indicators of underground magmatic and hydrothermal conditions. As such, these data are used by volcanologists in eruption forecasting efforts.
For the last thirty years or so remote sensing has been used in this capacity (largely concerning SO2 fluxes); this approach provides the benefit of working at safe distances (up to 10s of km) from the target, enabling measurements to take place continuously throughout the most violent eruptive phases. However, notwithstanding these benefits, most of these data are subject to poor time resolutions and large errors, which have placed severe restrictions upon our present volcanological understanding.
My contribution here has focused on overcoming these limitations via the development of a new generation of volcano flux sensors, which provide far better accuracy and time resolutions than possible hitherto. In addition, related devices have been pioneered for real-time optical monitoring of in-plume chemical compositions. Present research concerns capitalisation upon these technological developments to deliver fresh volcanological insights.
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