Satellite Images May Help Scientists Predict Underwater Volcano Eruption, New Study Suggests

A recent research proposes using data from satellite pictures of sea discoloration as a new criterion for forecasting if an undersea volcano would erupt.

Submarine Volcanic Eruption

Submarine volcanoes have often been erupting in recent years. Anak Krakatau in Indonesia, White Island in New Zealand, and Nishinoshima Island in Japan have all exploded in the last two years. Detecting indicators of volcanic eruptive activity is critical for delivering life-saving information and ensuring that aviation and marine transport in the vicinity is safe.

Although forecasting when a volcano would erupt is difficult due to the fact that each one acts differently, scientists are looking for five telltale signs: increased seismic activity, magma pool growth, volcanic gas emission increases, and temperature rises.

Sensing Colors

Yuji Sakuno, a remote sensing expert and associate professor at Hiroshima University's Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, has proposed a new indication for undersea volcanoes: sea color.

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Chemical Relation

For a long time, scientists have recognized that there is a link between the chemical makeup of discolored seawater and volcanic activity. Despite this, only a few quantitative research have utilized remote sensing to investigate it. Only the reflectance pattern of discolored seawater has been studied in these few investigations.

"Using a new measure termed sea color, this is an incredibly demanding study finding for anticipating volcanic disasters that have occurred regularly in many regions of the world in recent years," Sakuno said.

"I was the first person in the world to propose a link between satellite-derived sea color data and chemical composition surrounding undersea volcanoes."

The study's findings will be published in the journal Water in April 2021.

Compounds Released During Eruption

According to Sakuno, volcanoes emit compounds that can affect the hue of the surrounding water depending on their activity. For example, increased aluminum or silicon can stain the water with white splotches, while a larger amount of iron might create a yellow or brown tint.

One issue, though, is that sunshine may alter the hue of the sea. The study looked at how previous chromatically analyzed hot spring water studies addressed this obstacle and resolved brightness concerns. Then, using the XYZ colorimetric method, a relationship between seawater color and chemical content was created.

Data Analysis

Sakuno looked at pictures of Nishinoshima Island taken by the GCOM-C SGLI and Himawari-8 satellites in Japan last year. Himawari-8 was used to monitor volcanic activity, while GCOM-C SGLI was utilized to provide data on water color. The short observation cycle of GCOM-C SGLI (it captures photos of the ocean every 2-3 days) and excellent spatial resolution of 250 m make it an ideal candidate for monitoring.

Sakuno analyzed satellite data from January to December 2020 with the new indication and detected symptoms of impending volcanic disturbance on Nishinoshima Island about a month before it began.

"In the future, in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Maritime Security Agency, which monitors undersea volcanoes, and related research, I would like to develop a system that can anticipate volcanic eruptions with greater precision," he added.

Also Read: Study Shows How Volcanism Might Have Affected Earth's Worst Mass Extinctions

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