Monitoring Volcanic Emissions
using Spectroscopy
Application Note
Keywords
• Sulfur dioxide
• Climate modelling
• Volcanic gases
Researchers Measure SO2 and Other Gases
from Active Volcanoes
For researchers monitoring volcano activity, Ocean Optics spectrometers
and accessories are ideal for measuring the emission of sulfur dioxide
and other volcanic gases. Our spectrometers are flexible enough for
techniques such as differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS),
air- and ground-based remote sensing and irradiance measurements.
Techniques
• Differential optical absorption
spectroscopy
• Irradiance
Applications
• Remote sensing
• Atmospheric monitoring
Advantages of Modular Spectroscopy
Volcanologists are an
intrepid group, traveling to remote places
around the world,
witnessing firsthand
the awesome power
of an active volcano.
Making measurements
from
active
sites
provides useful data Figure 1. When you work in the most challenging environments on Earth, you have to be resourceful. This volcanoloon the presence and gist duct-taped our spectrometer to a bicycle helmet,
concentration of gas making himself into a sort of mobile lab.
emissions and their effects on forecasting models and climate changes.
That’s where our miniature, modular spectrometers come in. Ocean
Optics spectrometers are compact, lightweight and have low power
requirements, making it possible to deploy them from a plane or UAV
or hand-carry them into volcano zones (Figure 1). Spectrometers
couple to probes, sampling optics and telescope adapters for a variety
of applications.
On the Front Lines of the
2014 Icelandic Eruption
With the volcanic eruption at Holuhraun on Iceland in
2014, researchers from Chalmers University in Sweden
used DOAS to monitor emissions of sulfur dioxide and
other gases. Portable, compact spectrometers like our
Maya2000 Pro have become the instrument of choice
for monitoring SO2 emission rates of volcanoes before
and during eruptions, and are used to track plume
movement over time.
Flying a “Trail by Fire” in the Andes
In 2015, Ocean Optics Flame model spectrometers and
accessories helped a team of volcanologists to quantify
the total amount of volatile chemical elements released
by volcanoes in Chile and Peru. In this application, the
researchers used both ground-based and aerial measurements of gas composition and flux in an effort to
refine atmospheric modeling in the region (Figure 2).
large-scale fires. Here are just some of the challenging
atmospheric emission applications made possible with
Ocean Optics spectrometers:
• Aircraft emissions, Manchester Airport,
United Kingdom
• Ambrym volcano, Vanuatu Islands, South Pacific
• Biomass (sugarcane) burning, São Paulo, Brazil
• Buncefield oil depot explosion, United Kingdom
• Holuhraun lava field, Iceland
• Lascar volcano, Chile
• Masaya volcano, Nicaragua
• Nazca Subduction Zone, South American Andes
• Popocatépetl volcano, central Mexico
• Santiaguito volcano, Guatemala
• Socompa volcanic lake, Argentinean Andes
• Soufriére Hills volcano, Montserrat, Caribbean
• Telica volcano, Nicaragua
Additional Resources
• Visit "Volcanic Research" at
oceanoptics.com/application/volcanic-research
• Learn the science behind the "Trail by Fire"
research at oceanoptics.com/sciencebehind-trail-fire-expedition
Figure 2. The thermal stability of the Flame spectrometer is
especially helpful in environments where dramatic temperature
changes pose challenges.
Have Spectrometer, Will Travel
Ocean Optics offers multiple spectrometer options for
UV, Visible and NIR emission measurements. A versatile, general-purpose spectrometer like Flame is a good
start, while the native UV sensitivity of the Maya2000
Pro is well suited for monitoring the interaction of UV
light with volcanic gases.
Contact us today for more information
on setting up your spectroscopy
system from Ocean Optics.
What we learn about spectroscopic analysis of volcanic
gases and their effects also can be applied to gas
emissions associated with industry, transportation and
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