New insights into magmatic processes from integrated satellite observation, trajectory analysis and magma ascent modelling

Analysis of TROPOMI data with plume trajectory tools opens the possibility of new insights into volcanic / magmatic processes from two data sources: SO2 flux time series and plume height time series. In this paper we investigate results from explosive eruptions and attempt to explain the results with a magma ascent conduit model. The combination of plume height and gas flux data with a model of the magma ascent process provides a toolkit which allows us to constrain magma reservoir processes from satellite monitoring data. The combination of modelling and observations opens a new volcanological research frontier, because the TROPOMI sensor has daily global coverage, a high spatial resolution and is sensitive enough to detect many small-medium explosions globally, so that a large inventory of explosive activity can be characterised.