Andrew Yee[_1_]
May 8th 08, 07:33 PM
ESA News
http://www.esa.int
8 May 2008
Chilean volcano captured blasting ash
Chile's Chaiten Volcano is shown spewing ash and smoke (centre left of
image) into the air for hundreds of km over Argentina's Patagonia Plateau in
this Envisat image acquired on 5 May 2008.
The 1000 m-high volcano had been dormant for thousands of years before
erupting on 2 May, causing the evacuation of thousands. Chaiten Volcano is
located in southern Chile 10 km northeast of the town of Chaiten on the Gulf
of Corcovado.
Envisat's Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) instrument
processed this image at a resolution of 1200 m.
Satellite data can be used to detect the slight signs of change that may
foretell an eruption. Once an eruption begins, optical and radar instruments
can capture the lava flows, mudslides, ground fissures and earthquakes.
Atmospheric sensors onboard satellites can also identify the gases and
aerosols released by the eruption, as well as quantify their wider
environmental impact.
To boost the use of Earth Observation (EO) data at volcanic observatories,
ESA has started to monitor volcanoes worldwide within the Agency's Data User
Element programme.
The Globvolcano project, started in early 2007, will define, implement and
validate information services to support volcanological observatories in
their daily work by integration of EO data, with emphasis on observation and
early warning.
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMYQYZXUFF_index_1.html ]
http://www.esa.int
8 May 2008
Chilean volcano captured blasting ash
Chile's Chaiten Volcano is shown spewing ash and smoke (centre left of
image) into the air for hundreds of km over Argentina's Patagonia Plateau in
this Envisat image acquired on 5 May 2008.
The 1000 m-high volcano had been dormant for thousands of years before
erupting on 2 May, causing the evacuation of thousands. Chaiten Volcano is
located in southern Chile 10 km northeast of the town of Chaiten on the Gulf
of Corcovado.
Envisat's Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) instrument
processed this image at a resolution of 1200 m.
Satellite data can be used to detect the slight signs of change that may
foretell an eruption. Once an eruption begins, optical and radar instruments
can capture the lava flows, mudslides, ground fissures and earthquakes.
Atmospheric sensors onboard satellites can also identify the gases and
aerosols released by the eruption, as well as quantify their wider
environmental impact.
To boost the use of Earth Observation (EO) data at volcanic observatories,
ESA has started to monitor volcanoes worldwide within the Agency's Data User
Element programme.
The Globvolcano project, started in early 2007, will define, implement and
validate information services to support volcanological observatories in
their daily work by integration of EO data, with emphasis on observation and
early warning.
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMYQYZXUFF_index_1.html ]