Validation of an integrated satellite-data-driven response to an effusive crisis: the April–May 2018 eruption of Piton de la Fournaise

An integrated satellite-data-driven approach effectively tracked lava flow projections during the April–May 2018 eruption of Piton de la Fournaise, demonstrating its potential for real-time volcanic crisis response. The study validated a protocol combining MIROVA for discharge rate (TADR), ASTER urgent response data delivery, DOWNFLOW for flow path projections, and PyFLOWGO for run-out estimates. Using 2018 eruption data, the system delivered accurate flow predictions with minimal latency, matching ground observations from InSAR and ASTER mapping. The protocol processed 35 TADRs and four InSAR image pairs over 35 days, proving its reliability in high-stakes volcanic monitoring scenarios.

Harris, A. J. L., Chevrel, M. O., Coppola, D., Ramsey, M. S., Hrysiewicz, A., Thivet, S., Villeneuve, N., Favalli, M., Peltier, A., Kowalski, P., Di Muro, A., Froger, J.-L., & Gurioli, L. (2019). Validation of an integrated satellite-data-driven response to an effusive crisis: the April–May 2018 eruption of Piton de la Fournaise. Annals of Geophysics, 62(2), VO230. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-7972