Examples of Multi-Sensor Determination of Eruptive Source Parameters of Explosive Events at Mount Etna

Multi-sensor strategies prove crucial for accurately determining eruptive source parameters (ESPs) during explosive eruptions, essential for predicting tephra dispersal and deposition. A study analyzing data from Mount Etna's weak and strong paroxysmal events demonstrates that different sensors—including Doppler radars, infrared sensors, infrasound arrays, visible video-monitoring cameras, and tephra-fallout deposits—provide complementary observations. While plume height measurements align during strong activity, discrepancies arise in weaker events due to rapid dilution. Event duration varies by sensor, reflecting distinct paroxysmal phases, which impacts total erupted mass (TEM) and mass eruption rate (MER). Satellite retrievals of grain-size, combined with radar data, offer near real-time approximations of total grain-size distribution (TGSD), showing promising agreement with deposit-derived TGSD.

Freret-Lorgeril, V., Bonadonna, C., Corradini, S., Donnadieu, F., Guerrieri, L., Lacanna, G., Marzano, F. S., Mereu, L., Merucci, L., Ripepe, M., Scollo, S., & Stelitano, D. (2021). Examples of Multi-Sensor Determination of Eruptive Source Parameters of Explosive Events at Mount Etna. Remote Sensing, 13(11), 2097. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13112097