Global records of magmatic processes from automatically processed satellite radar
Abstract
Over the past decades, millimetric scale deformation measurements from satellite radar have become possible at an increasing proportion of the worlds active volcanoes. This presents the opportunity to make new regional and global scale observations, as well as assessments of source geometry and magma movement at individual volcanoes. Increases in the availability of systematically acquired satellite imagery also require new approaches to analysis, especially for time sensitive applications such as volcano monitoring. One such approach is the automatic processing of satellite radar imagery, which we aim to exploit for volcanological research and monitoring using a set of online tools: the COMET Volcanic and Magmatic Deformation Portal. Our goal is to allow observatory scientists to critically interrogate automatically generated Sentinel-1 interferograms and reliably identify deformation around active volcanoes for comparison to other datasets. We present the first hundred volcano deformation time series available through the portal and assess them both in terms of properties relevant for the automatic detection of new unrest, and their link to volcanic and magmatic processes. We use conceptual models that link deformation and other observables to the state of a magmatic system as a framework for our interpretation. Surface displacement provide information only about parts of a magmatic zone where pressure changes are taking place and do not allow us to infer its complete extent. However, displacements can provide evidence for the location of pockets of magma, and time series may provide some insight into the physical properties of the surrounding magmatic zone. We anticipate that time series analysis of automatically processed satellite radar data will continue to advance our conception of the extent of magmatic zones and their properties.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021AGUFM.V12B..01E