Monitoring of volcanic SO2 emissions using the GOME-2 satellite instrument

Atmospheric sulfur dioxide is an important indicator of volcanic activity. Space based atmospheric sensors like GOME-2 on MetOp and OMI on EOS-Aura make it possible to detect the emissions of volcanic SO₂ and monitor volcanic activity and eruptions on a global scale. With GOME-2, it is possible to detect and track volcanic eruption plumes and SO₂ from passive degassing in near-real time (NRT). This is particularly important for early warning services, as increases in SO₂ fluxes are an indicator for new episodes of volcanic unrest. The SO₂ daily measurements from space are used for several early warning services related volcanic risk (Exupery, GlobVolcano) and for aviation warning purposes (GSE-PROMOTE).