Thermal model of lava in Mt. Agung during December 2017 episodes derived from Integrated SENTINEL 2A and ASTER remote sensing datasets

Abstract

In the beginning of December 2017, Mt. Agung eruption powered down to minor ash emissions and on the middle of December, aerial photographs of the crater were taken by Indonesia Centre of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) showing a steadily growing lava occupying approximately one third of the crater. 3D digital elevation model (DEM) of crater were created by PVMBG during and before the eruption, corresponded to lava volume around 2 x 10−2 km3 has been filled the crater. Here we present a method for deriving thermal model within the lava during eruption on 8 and 9 December 2017 using observations from multi infrared satellite SENTINEL 2A and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). We use Thermal Eruption Index (TEI) based on the Shortwave infrared (SWIR) on SENTINEL 2A and Thermal Infrared (TIR) on ASTER, allowing us to differentiate thermal domain within the lava. This study has successfully produced model of sub-pixel temperature (Th), radiant flux (Φrad) and crust thickness model of lava (Δh). The subpixel temperature and radiant flux during the eruption is in the range 655 to 975 °C and 179 MW respectively. The crust thickness model of the lava in the range of 9 to 14 m and the total volume of lava crust during this period is estimated at 3 x 10−3 km3. The combination of infrared satellite remote sensing data shows a potential for fast and efficient classification of difference thermal domains and derive thermal model of lava.