Observing a Chemically and/or Climatically Important Volcano: Facilitating Rapid Response to an Unanticipated yet Inevitable Event

Abstract:

A large volcanic event has the potential to influence the chemical and/or physical state of the Earth’s atmosphere in a significant way. In particular, changes in the trace constituent and/or particulate composition of the stratosphere, as well as the temperature distribution of the troposphere and stratosphere can both take place (and persist over a period of time), as has been observed in several eruptions in recent years (e.g., the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991). Characterizing the impacts of these eruptions and predicting their impacts on the evolution of the atmosphere requires observations of gas and particle distributions over time period from as soon after eruption as possible to the longer time period over which the Earth system is affected. This characterization may make use of observation capabilities from ongoing surface-based and existing satellite-based observing systems, and can also benefit significantly from focused airborne campaigns that make use of both in situ and remote sensing instrumentation. This presentation will review the relevant surface- and space-based observing capability operated by NASA in the broader context of the global observing capabilities of the international community, and and will discuss potential approaches to airborne campaigns (platforms, sensors, systems, logistical consideration) that would provide the data most useful for both characterization and forecasting of both the chemical and climatic forcing and impacts associated with the eruption.