Retrieval of Volcanic Ash Parameters from Satellite Data

A method for retrieving volcanic ash parameters from satellite data is presented. The fundamental difference between the presented methodology and classical algorithms for the retrieval of volcanic ash parameters is the simultaneous use of various optical models of volcanic clouds. The models contain information not only about volcanic rocks (andesite or basalt) but also about their combinations with water drops and the aqueous solution of sulfuric acid. The volcanic ash parameters are determined by the characteristics of solar radiation reflected from a volcanic cloud and the cloud’s self-radiation in the infrared atmospheric window. The volcanic ash parameters are retrieved according to the Meteosat-9 SEVIRI satellite radiometer for the case of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano eruption (Iceland, May 2010). The results are compared with data of aircraft lidar measurements and show a good qualitative and quantitative agreement.