Volcanic eruptions are among the most common natural hazards. There is evidence that extensive volcanic activity can lead to climate change and subsequently to the disruption of socio-economical cohesion. In light of this, volcanic hazard assessment is of high importance in order to minimize the effects of volcanic activity and ensure the safety of the inhabitants. Lava flows are one of the products of effusive eruptions that directly affect communities living in the vicinity of active volcanoes. Over the past few years, it has been proven that remote sensing techniques in conjunction with the operational capabilities of SAR sensors are able to provide timely and accurate information on lava flow evolution. In this context, our research focuses on the mapping of the ground deformation during the eruptive phase of a volcano. The recent eruptions occurred on Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge, La Palma, Canary Islands (September 9th – December 19th, 2021) and Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, (January 5th – March 7th, 2023), were selected as case studies. Sentinel-1 data covering the areas of interest was acquired and processed via amplitude-based and phase-based detection methods, i.e., Synthetic Aperture Radar interferometry (InSAR) and offset tracking. The multi-temporal outcomes consisting of Line-Of-Sight (LOS) displacements and lava flow velocities were analyzed aiming at the better understanding of volcanic processes. It was identified a strong correlation between the multi-temporal outcomes and the various eruption phases (ie, inflation deflation, crystallization and cooling, etc.). Overall, it was demonstrated that both approaches can be used effectively in emergency situations.
|