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NASA and Smithsonian Launch Tree-Based Volcano Monitoring System
- NASA and its partners are exploring the use of satellite imagery to predict volcanic eruptions by monitoring changes in tree leaf colors near volcanoes.
- This approach follows evidence that volcanoes emit carbon dioxide before eruptions, which affects foliage color, but direct satellite detection of volcanic CO2 remains difficult due to atmospheric background levels.
- Researchers have observed greener tree leaves near volcanoes like Mount Etna, and remote sensing satellites such as Landsat 8 and ESA’s Sentinel-2 have been used to correlate these changes with volcanic activity.
- In December 2017, increased carbon dioxide emissions detected near a volcano in the Philippines led to the timely evacuation of more than 56,000 residents, successfully preventing any loss of life before the eruption occurred in January 2018.
- Though monitoring tree changes will not provide a single definitive signal, scientists believe it could enhance early warnings and improve forecasting models, potentially transforming volcanic hazard responses globally.
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Their understanding will change a lot.
Volcanoes Send Secret Signals Through Trees And NASA Satellites Can See Them
Trees near volcanoes might be the early warning signs scientists have been looking for — and now, they can be watched from space. A NASA-Smithsonian collaboration has revealed that carbon dioxide released from rising magma makes surrounding vegetation greener, a subtle but trackable signal. Using satellite imagery and ground validation, researchers are crafting a powerful [...]
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 38%
12%
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