Search Results (2)

In recent years, numerous satellite-based systems have been developed to monitor and study volcanic activity from space. This progress reflects the growing demand for accurate and timely monitoring to reduce volcanic risk. Observing volcanoes from a satellite perspective provides key advantages, enabling continuous data acquisition and near-real-time assessment of volcanic activity. Multispectral sensors operating across various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum can detect thermal anomalies associated with lava flows, pyroclastic flows, ash plumes, and volcanic gases. Traditional hotspot detection techniques based on fixed thresholds often miss subtle anomalies on a global scale. In contrast, advanced machine learning algorithms offer a data-driven alternative. We designed and implemented the V-STAR application (Volcanic Satellite Thermal Anomalies Recognition) on Google Earth Engine (GEE) to leverage cloud computing for processing large geospatial datasets in real time. It employs supervised machine learning, specifically Random Forests, to adapt to evolving volcanic conditions. This enhances the accuracy and responsiveness of volcanic monitoring, offering valuable insights into potential eruptive behavior. Here, we present V-STAR as a robust and accessible tool that integrates satellite data and advanced analytics. Through its intuitive interface, V-STAR provides a comprehensive visualization of key volcanic features. The resulting analyses reveal hidden patterns in thermal data, contributing to improved disaster risk reduction strategies associated with volcanic hazards. Full article

Determining the height of plume clouds is crucial for various applications, including global climate models. Smokestack plume rise refers to the altitude at which the plume cloud travels downwind until its momentum dissipates and the temperatures of the plume cloud and its surroundings become equal. While most air-quality models employ different parameterizations to forecast plume rise, they have not been effective in accurately estimating it. This paper introduces a novel framework that utilizes Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNNs) to monitor smokestack plume clouds and make real-time, long-term measurements of plume rise. The framework comprises three stages. In the first stage, the plume cloud is identified using an enhanced Mask R-CNN, known as the Deep Plume Rise Network (DPRNet). Next, image processing analysis and least squares theory are applied to determine the plume cloud’s boundaries and fit an asymptotic model to its centerlines. The z-coordinate of the critical point of this model represents the plume rise. Finally, a geometric transformation phase converts image measurements into real-world values. This study’s findings indicate that the DPRNet outperforms conventional smoke border detection and recognition networks. In quantitative terms, the proposed approach yielded a 22% enhancement in the F1 score, compared to its closest competitor, DeepLabv3. Full article