Gas & Aerosol Monitoring

Monitoring levels of volcanic gases and aerosols enables us to quantify the exposure of populations to potentially harmful emissions. Volcanoes emit gases both during and between eruptions. Surveillance of gas composition and flux is also essential for interpretation of volcanic activity, since degassing exerts a fundamental control on magma dynamics and eruption style. This, in turn, is important in the assessment of volcanic health hazard.

Research focuses on development of novel volcano surveillance techniques, detailed investigations of individual volcanoes and fundamental studies of volcano-atmosphere-climate interactions. Some current projects include design and deployment of new gas monitoring sensors at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, and Rotorua city, New Zealand. Members of IVHHN are also working on field and computer modelling investigations of the atmospheric, environmental and health impacts of volcanic gases and aerosols.