COMET Webinar: Mark Bemelmans. The use of high-resolution SAR for volcano monitoring

Dr. Mark Bemelmans (University of Bristol, now with SkyGeo) presented on Wednesday the 9th of October 2024 about:
"What is hiding within the pixels? The use of high-resolution SAR for volcano monitoring"

Talk: 00:00 – 37:14
Questions: 37:14 – 50:43

Abstract:
Volcanoes can be a large dangerous for the people living around them because they are the source of many hazards including lava flows, lahars, landslides, and ashfall. Therefore, the monitoring of volcanoes for warning signs is critical in limiting their impact. Satellite remote sensing allows us to monitor for these warning signs at otherwise unmonitored volcanoes. Ground motion is one of the most reliable precursors to a volcanic eruption and SAR satellites can measure ground motion with incredible precision. However, the resolution of the satellite products can be a limiting factor in their applicability. My research has focused on the use of very-high-resolution SAR data for volcano monitoring, and through case studies at Agung and Merapi, both in Indonesia, I showcase the power of high-resolution SAR satellite data, discovering deformation on the summit crater floor of Agung and revealing meters of flank motion at Merapi prior to eruption. With these examples of successful precursor detection, I argue for a larger uptake in high-resolution satellite data for volcano monitoring.