Lidar detection of carbon dioxide as a precursor to volcanic eruptions: first results of the campaign at Mount Etna

Thanks to the innovative, laser-based, remote sensing system, named BILLI – Bridge Volcanic LIDAR, developed at ENEA (RC of Frascati) by FSN-TECFIS-DIM research group, it has been possible to carry out an experimental campaign at the Mount Etna volcano (CT), from the 28th of July to the 1st of August, 2016. The main goal was to detect the exceedance of in-plume CO2 concentration, for early warning of volcanic eruptions. The research is funded by the ERC project BRIDGE – Bridging the gap between gas emissions and geophysical observations at active volcanoes.

Grazie al nuovo sistema di telerilevamento ambientale BILLI – Bridge Volcanic LIDAR, messo a punto dal gruppo di ricerca FSN-TECFIS-DIM dell’ENEA (CR Frascati), è stato possibile condurre una campagna sperimentale presso l’Etna (CT) – dal 28 Luglio al 1 Agosto 2016, allo scopo di rilevare la concentrazione di CO2 presente in eccesso all’interno del plume vulcanico, per fornire un’allerta precoce in caso di eruzione. Tale ricerca rientra nel progetto BRIDGE - Bridging the gap between gas emissions and geophysical observations at active volcanoes (progetto patrocinato dall’European Research Council).