Improved volcanic ash detection based on a hybrid reverse absorption technique

•A hybrid method for volcanic ash detection from satellite is proposed.•Simultaneous threshold check with 2-band and 3-band reverse absorption techniques shows better performance.•Performance of the method minimizes the false detection of volcanic ash pixels.

A noble volcanic ash (VA) detection method based on a hybrid reverse absorption technique was successfully applied in the analysis of major volcanic eruptions that occurred in Russia, Iceland, Chile, Italy, and Japan by using the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observation data. Sensitivity studies using radiative-transfer simulations by using various environmental parameters such as ash loadings, sizes, layer heights, and surface emissions, revealed that VA effects on brightness temperatures (BT) can reach up to 40 K. The advantage of the hybrid algorithm is its ability to detect distinct VA pixels during the day and night from satellite observations. The results showed that the hybrid algorithm can minimize the false detection of VA pixels, while well-known reverse absorption methods show abundant false VA pixels over bright surfaces and cloud formations. Further, the time-and-space distribution of the VA pixels is in good agreement with the data pertaining to operational aerosol products obtained from the scanning imaging absorption spectrometer for atmospheric cartography (SCIAMACHY) instrument on board ESA's Envisat and the cloud-aerosol Lidar and infrared pathfinder satellite observations (CALIPSO). This novel algorithm is expected to provide a fine spatial and temporal resolution of VA monitoring from high spectral or geostationary satellite observation data.