| The study of the November 2002 eruption of Reventador Volcano by means satellite remote sensing datasets allowed a complete documentation and monitoring of the explosive events that comprised this complex eruption. AVHRR, GOES, MODIS, TOMS and GOME data revealed the main, opening explosive phase (Phase I; 3--4 November) and following mildly explosive phase (Phase II; 5--25 November) of the eruption. Single- and multi-band ash plume detection and monitoring techniques applied during Phase I revealed the existence of two plumes at heights of approximately 14 and 16 km, respectively. The satellite data contributed to a detailed eruption chronology and extraction of quantitative information regarding cloud dynamics, velocities, heights, dimensions, distances and trajectories. The data also showed the hazards that drifting volcanic clouds pose to aviation, as these traveled 400 and 1,900 km towards Colombia (E plume) and the Galapagos (W plume), respectively, whilst crossing numerous major air traffic corridors. |
