Utilization of in situ airborne MS-based instrumentation for the study of gaseous emissions at active volcanoes

A small, 24 V powered, portable mass spectrometer system, named ULISSES, for the study and visualization of gaseous volcanic emission is described. First deployments of the system have focused on both ground and airborne in situ measurement to monitor the awakening of the Turrialba Volcano in Costa Rica. Key gas measurements were acquired prior and after its eruption on 5 January 2010, confirming the presence of gas chemistry precursors typical of volcanic eruptions. Ground and airborne measurements were acquired to gain volcanological insight and as the first step towards the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as future airborne platforms and to confirm its unique capability to serve as a calibration/validation tool for satellite remote sensing data. Low parts per million (ppm) levels of helium and a large concentration of sulfur dioxide were measured in situ after the initial eruption. In particular, the SO2 data correlated with satellite remote sensing data.

Graphical abstractA portable mass spectrometer, for the study and visualization of in situ ground and airborne volcanic plume measurements to monitor the awakening of Turrialba Volcano.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (89 K)Download as PowerPoint slide