GbIRD: A new tool for imaging volcanic emissions

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G-bIRD A new tool for imaging volcanic emissions

• Fred Prata and Cirilo Bernardo
• CSIRO Atmospheric Research, Australia
• Matthew Simmons and Bill Young
• Tenix Investments, Australia

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Technical overview

• Principles of infrared imaging
• Ground-based InfraRed Detector - G-bIRD
• Applications
• Examples and Results
• Conclusion

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Principles

• Passive IR radiation (operating 6-14 µm, nominal)
• Uncooled detector (no need for N2 or mechanical
  cooler)
• Excellent sensitivity lt200 mK (50 mK for
  broadband)
• 2D imaging - 320x240 pixels
• 5-channel filter wheel (bandpass selection
  optional)
• Rapid imaging 5 images per minute
• Day/night operation
• CSIRO patented technology

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G-bIRD camera

• 50 mm filters
• 5 channels
• Computer controlled
• Algorithms produce calibrated scene temperatures
• Continuous remote operation/low power

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• Examples
• Deployment at Anatahan, NMI
• Ash detection at Tavurvur, Rabaul
• SO2 detection at Etna and Stromboli

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Ship-borne measurements at Anatahan volcano
Plume of ash and water vapour
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Possible deployment site
Possible landing site
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Rabaul/Tokua Airport - 20 km from Tavurvur
RVO
Old Rabaul airport
Tavurvur
20 km
Tokua airport
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B Old Rabaul runway
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E RVO
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Ash clouds from Matupit village
Ash image
Visible photograph
2003-331-0004 27-November 2003 0654 UTC
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Ash clouds at Rababa (10o elevation)
Ash image
Visible photograph
2003-333-0132 29-November 2003 0413 UTC
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Ash clouds at Rababa (80o elevation)
Ash image
Visible photograph
2003-333-0129 29-November 2003 0355 UTC
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Alarm time-series 10 minute samples
Cut-off
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G-bIRD images
Broadband image
11 µm image
8.6 µm image
8.6-11 µm image (DTso2)
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Industrial SO2 plume
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G-bIRD measurements at Etna

• 15 km distance
• SO2 plume
• No ash
• Can distinguish H2O plumes
• from SO2 plumes

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SO2 from Etna
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G-bIRD measurements at Stromboli

• SO2 plumes
• Explosions
• Re-suspended ash

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SO2 from Stromboli
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Conclusions

• G-bIRD is a new thermal imaging camera for
  identifying airborne hazards.
• It operates automatically day or night and can be
  deployed in remote locations.
• It has been tested at 5 active volcanoes (viz.
  Kilauea, Anatahan, Etna, Stromboli and Tavurvur).
• G-bIRD complements current systems and is a
  pre-cursor to the development of an on-board
  detector.
• Several outstanding problems to overcome (e.g.
  water vapour effects, quantifying SO2, viewing
  geometry, ruggedisation).