Monitoring an active volcanic area and mapping lava flows with multisource data: The case of Mount Etna from 2011 to 2015

Abstract

The ground monitoring of an active volcanic area presents many complexities. By exploiting the remote sensing techniques, we developed an analytical methodology for observing and quantifying eruptive processes and the related phenomena (lava flows, volcanic avalanche/landslides, slope stability features). This methodology integrates HR optical images and SAR interferometry, acquired in different time frames and was tested on the case study of Mount Etna. The extraction of new cartographic products allows us to define the volcanic hazards that may impact on the surrounding populated areas and infrastructures.