Detection of volcanic phenomena accompanied with the eruption of Mt. Merapi in 2010 using ALOS images

Takashi KOI, Nobuaki KATO, Kazuo YOSHIKAWA, Tomokazu ITANO, Daisuke SANGO, Shunichi KUSANO and Joji SHIMA

Detection of volcanic phenomena associated with the eruption of Mt. Merapi in 2010 was examined through several analytical methods using ALOS images. The eruption triggered various phenomena as follows: pre] and post]volcanic deformation, widespread tephra fall, pyroclastic and debris flows, and induced sediment disasters around the volcano. The areas affected by each phenomenon could be extracted using ALOS images, and adequate analytical methods for each phenomenon were determined. In some cases, it was difficult to distinguish a particular area affected by multiple phenomena using only ALOS images. When various phenomena occurred for short periods after eruption, it was necessary to use not only ALOS images but also information on volcanic]eruption processes to extract the location of affected areas. These results suggest that satellite images provide useful information about phenomena associated with eruption, practically independent from weather conditions and magnitude of volcanic eruptions.