Identification of volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide plumes from satellite imagery
Competency Framework
WMO Satellite Skills
Description
Training module focusing on identification of volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide plumes from satellite imagery.
Content
Volcanic eruptions have a severe impact on human health, economy and traffic. They regularly cause natural disasters such as tsunamis and lava flows that are difficult to predict. Volcanic eruptions emit large amounts of gases, ash, and other aerosol particles into the atmosphere. In the short term, volcanic ash plumes have serious impacts on aviation. It is, therefore, very important to monitor the extent, height and duration of such events to properly estimate the impact of eruptions at various spatial and temporal scales, using data from different instruments on different satellites.