WEATHER RADAR MONITORING OF ICELAND VOLCANOES


Early-warning detection


VMI Reflectivity and PAE

Spatial Identification

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The early-warning detection module within VARR algorithm is based on the temporal analysis of radar data in the areas surrounding the volcano vent, giving as outputs the Probability of Ash Eruption onset (PAE) and a Spatial Indentification map. The probability of the volcanic eruption onset is described in time by the PAE evolution. Its behaviour is a indicator of lava fountains ejecting tephra in the surrounding of the volcanic vent. PAE ≥ 80% is associated to the presence of ash plumes, whereas PAE ≤ 60% are mainly due to meteorological targets. The other values lead to an uncertain due to mixed phase (hydrometeor and ash signatures) and/or other drawbacks. In the above figure (left panel) PAE value is directly displayed on VMI radar map at each acquisition time-step of the ISX1 radar. It is worth mentioning that VMI (Vertical Maximum Indicator) product gives a maximum value of reflectivity above each vertical column of data. On the other hand, the spatial discrimination between tephra and meteorological targets is also shown at each acquisition time-step for each pixel of the radar image (right panel).

Tephra retrieval

PPI Reflectivity

PPI Reflectivity

PPI Predominant Category

PPI concentration ash

PPI Estimated Concentration

PPI Estimated Concentration


VCUT Reflectivity

VCUT Reflectivity

VCUT Predominant Category

VCUT Predominant Category

VCUT Estimated Concentration

VCUT Estimated Concentration


The Classification and Estimation modules in VARR aims at provide an automatic tephra categorization and concentration estimation making use of a synthetic dataset of the radar variables generated by a physical-electromagnetic model. The figures show the latest available images of tephra classification and related concentration estimation in g/m3 from ISX1 radar. Tephra classification from radar echoes is made with respect to ash particle size: Fine Ash (FA) with average diameters of 0.01 mm; Coarse Ash (CA) with average diameters of 0.1 mm; Small Lapilli (SL) with average diameters of 1 mm; Large Lapilli (LL) with average diameters of 10 mm. It is worth mentioning that PPI (Plan Position Indicator) product it a slant-range display of radar reflectivity acquired from one antenna rotation with the antenna at a given elevation angle. On the other hand VCUT (Vertical CUT) product display radar reflectivity with height as the vertical axis and range as the horizontal axis, forming a vertical cross section of tephra or precipitation system in a given direction (azimuth angle clockwise from the North).




Historical Archive




Animation




Disclaimer
This website has been produced for the FUTUREVOLC EXERCISE was held on 25-27 January, 2016. All contents have been realized using radar data taken by Grimsvotn 2011 eruption from 23:40 UTC of May 24 to 02:40 UTC of May 25.