The effects of volcanic eruptions observed in satellite images: Examples from outside the North Pacific region

Abstract

Thermal anomalies occur when a pixel in a satellite image shows a higher brightness temperature than is expected relative to its neighbors. Thermal anomalies have been observed over decades at volcanoes in satellite data. Such anomalies occur for many reasons, but at volcanoes this can be an indicator of volcanic activity or even a precursor to more explosive activity. This chapter focuses on what causes thermal anomalies at volcanoes, how they are detected, and how they are used to monitor volcanoes in the North Pacific.