A new permanent, low-cost, low-power SO2 camera for continuous measurement of volcanic emissions

• Published in: Frontiers in earth science (Lausanne) Vol. 11
• Main Authors: Wilkes, Thomas Charles, Pering, Tom David, Aguilera, Felipe, Layana, Susana, Nadeau, Patricia, Kern, Christoph, McGonigle, Andrew John Samuel, Aguilera, Mauricio, Zhu, Chengxi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 04.04.2023
• Subjects: raspberry pi; remote sensing; sulphur dioxide; ultraviolet camera; volcanology
• ISSN: 2296-6463; 2296-6463
• DOI: 10.3389/feart.2023.1088992

Since its introduction to volcanology in the mid-2000 s, the SO 2 camera has become an important instrument for the acquisition of accurate and high time-resolution SO 2 emission rates, aiding in hazard assessment and volcanological research. However, with the exception of a few locations (Stromboli, Etna, Kīlauea), hitherto the majority of measurements have been made on discrete field campaigns, which provide only brief snapshots into a volcano’s activity. Here, we present the development of a new, low-cost, low-power SO 2 camera for permanent deployment on volcanoes, facilitating long-term, quasi-continuous (daylight hours only) measurements. We then discuss preliminary datasets from Lascar and Kīlauea volcanoes, where instruments are now in continuous operation. Further proliferation of such instrumentation has the potential to greatly improve our understanding of the transient nature of volcanic activity, as well as aiding volcano monitoring/eruption forecasting.