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Scanning tomography of SO 2 distribution in a volcanic gas plume
Author(s) -
Wright T. E.,
Burton M.,
Pyle D. M.,
Caltabiano T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2008gl034640
Subject(s) - plume , volcano , geology , panache , tomography , tomographic reconstruction , mineralogy , meteorology , atmospheric sciences , seismology , optics , physics
Two‐dimensional cross sections of the sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) distribution in the volcanic gas plume of Mt. Etna were reconstructed using tomographic techniques. The data for these projections were generated by a network of five automated scanning spectrometers, positioned on the flanks of the volcano. These measure slant‐column amounts of SO 2 at 105 different angles, every four minutes. Stable wind conditions allow the plume to be monitored on 82% of days. A time‐series of plume cross sections was computed, revealing the potential of this method to track variations in plume position and structure on timescales of minutes to hours, a result of potential importance for air traffic and civil defence in case of eruption, when copious amounts of fine ash can be transported.