Open AccessUsing the GOES Sounder to monitor upper level SO 2 from volcanic eruptions
Author(s) -
Ackerman Steven A.,
Schreiner Anthony J.,
Schmit Timothy J.,
Woolf Harold M.,
Li Jun,
Pavolonis Michael
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2007jd009622
Subject(s) - volcano , geostationary orbit , plume , environmental science , atmospheric infrared sounder , remote sensing , geology , satellite , atmosphere (unit) , advection , altitude (triangle) , geostationary operational environmental satellite , meteorology , atmospheric sciences , troposphere , physics , seismology , geometry , mathematics , astronomy , thermodynamics
This study explores the sensitivity of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Sounder observations to atmospheric loadings of SO 2 .from volcanic eruptions. The GOES Sounder offers a more rapid refresh rate than similar instruments on board polar‐orbiting satellites, such as the High‐Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) carried on the NOAA and MetOp spacecraft. One of the GOES Sounder's 19 channels is in an SO 2 absorption band. Simulations demonstrate that this channel, centered at approximately 7.4 mm, when combined with other channels, can detect the presence of large amounts of SO 2 (e.g., greater than 50 DU) in the upper atmosphere (e.g., above 8 km). The GOES Sounder can also provide upper limits of the amount of upper level SO 2 , provided the atmospheric altitude of the SO 2 is known. The sensitivity is demonstrated on two volcanic eruptions of the Soufrière Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat. Through use of the GOES Sounder measurements, the advection and rapid spreading of the plume are easily observed. Efforts to fully characterize the plume size and transport are hampered by the limited spatial coverage of the current GOES Sounder.