Conference proceeding
In situ particle sampling and size analysis via unmanned aerial systems in volcanic clouds; examples from Sinabung and Merapi Volcanoes, Indonesia
American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Vol.2019
Dec 2019
Abstract
Providing a representative particle size distribution of volcanic ash clouds during the course of an eruption remains a significant challenge in the accurate modeling and prediction of their atmospheric dispersal patterns. To improve the community's capacity to accurately measure inputs needed to produce effective numerical models of airborne volcanic particle transport, we flew a Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) into eruption clouds to characterize the size distribution and concentration of volcanic particles (aerosols and fine ash) while airborne. Flights were conducted in June 2018 at Sinabung volcano (North Sumatra, Indonesia) and in September 2019 at Merapi volcano (Central Java, Indonesia) using a DJI Phantom 4. The June 2018 flights focused on using an Alphasense optical particle counter (OPC) N2 to obtain the size distribution within the cloud of particles in the range of 0.38 - 17 mu m. To build upon the work carried out in 2018, we returned to Indonesia in 2019 to run a series of flights at Mt. Merapi (Central Java), which used the Alphasense OPC N3, with a larger range of .35 - 40 mu m, and a particle collection system. The particle collector can return samples from within the volcanic cloud for characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy and other laboratory methods. During the study period, we carried out measurements within clouds produced primarily by passive degassing, as well as resulting from repeated transient ash-producing explosive events and pyroclastic density currents. We produced both vertical and horizontal profiles of particle concentration and size distribution by flying the sUAS in a grid pattern, at elevations of 200 m to 500 m above the launch point, and at distances of 2 km or more from the vent. These profiles can help validate both computational models and data retrieved from satellite imagery, while providing a newer and safer method of monitoring volcanic activity, particularly for hazardous particles at inhalable or respirable size fractions.
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Details
- Title
- In situ particle sampling and size analysis via unmanned aerial systems in volcanic clouds; examples from Sinabung and Merapi Volcanoes, Indonesia
- Creators
- Danielle Kimiko Moyer - Drexel University, Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science Philadelphia, PA USA United StatesLoyc VanderkluysenBrett B. CarrAgung HarijokoHaryo WibowoEsti HandiniAnonymous
- Publication Details
- American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Vol.2019
- Conference
- American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting (2019)
- Publisher
- American Geophysical Union
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Identifiers
- 991021015347004721