Real-time volcano activity mapping using ground-based digital imagery

The mapping of volcanic activity such as lava and pyroclastic flows and mudflows on a real-time basis during eruptions is very important for event monitoring and prediction for disaster mitigation. These events are usually dynamic and of short duration. In this paper, a real-time volcanic activity mapping system utilizing a single ground-based digital camera is described. This automatic system, which produces ortho-images as a final output from digital landscape images, is designed for real-time monitoring. Each recorded image is first rectified to a reference image generated from a DEM of the volcano. This produces a textured image of known location and orientation. The rectification is carried out by matching between the common skyline edge that appears both in the digital landscape image and in the reference image. The rectified landscape image is then converted to an ortho-image map using the same DEM of the volcano. Through this system, ortho-image maps showing volcanic activity are automatically generated in real-time. This helps chronological short-term change analysis of volcanic activity. Also, volcanic activities mapped by the system can be analysed by volcanologists to assist in any disaster prevention associated with a volcanic eruption. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.