Using CATS near‐real‐time lidar observations to monitor and constrain volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) forecasts. Issue 20 (30th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hughes, E. J.; Yorks, J.; Krotkov, N. A.; da Silva, A. M.; McGill, M.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 20(2016)
• Page Start: 11, 089
• Page End: 11, 097
• Publication Date: 2016-10-30
• Subjects: CATS -- SO2 -- OMPS -- aerosol -- lidar -- volcanic clouds; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL070119
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: An eruption of Italian volcano Mount Etna on 3 December 2015 produced fast‐moving sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) and sulfate aerosol clouds that traveled across Asia and the Pacific Ocean, reaching North America in just 5 days. The Ozone Profiler and Mapping Suite's Nadir Mapping UV spectrometer aboard the U.S. National Polar‐orbiting Partnership satellite observed the horizontal transport of the SO2 cloud. Vertical profiles of the colocated volcanic sulfate aerosols were observed between 11.5 and 13.5 km by the new Cloud Aerosol Transport System (CATS) space‐based lidar aboard the International Space Station. Backward trajectory analysis estimates the SO2 cloud altitude at 7–12 km. Eulerian model simulations of the SO2 cloud constrained by CATS measurements produced more accurate dispersion patterns compared to those initialized with the back trajectory height estimate. The near‐real‐time data processing capabilities of CATS are unique, and this work demonstrates the use of these observations to monitor and model volcanic clouds. Key Points: An eruption from Italy's Mount Etna produced fast moving volcanic SO2 and aerosol clouds synergistically observed by S‐NPP/OMPS and ISS/CATS The ISS/CATS lidar provided unprecedented near‐real‐time measurements of the volcanic aerosol height, correcting trajectory‐based estimates Model simulations using the CATS height improve volcanic SO2 forecasts