Dear Colleagues,

According to the Global Volcanism Program (2017), there are more than 1500 active volcanoes worldwide, continuously emitting a large amount of ash, gases, and hot material, menacing the security of neighboring people, the environment, infrastructures, and air traffic. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that more than 26,000 people have died in volcanic disasters between 1975 and 2000. Volcanic eruptions have both social and economic impacts and, because of the increase in population worldwide, the number of people and the total cost of social infrastructure close to active volcanoes are increasing. Although significant successes have been achieved in understanding volcanoes, many crucial aspects of volcanic activity and processes still remain not fully understood. Systematic observations and continuous monitoring of volcanic activity might help in improving our knowledge and understanding of volcanic processes, in better identifying possible signs of volcanic unrest, and in properly managing and assessing the risk when an eruptive event occurs. However, many active volcanoes around the world are still inadequately or poorly monitored or not monitored at all.

Remotely sensed observations from space, offering synoptic coverage, timely and frequent sampling on large scales, and multispectral capabilities and significant cost savings compared with other observing systems and sources of information, have been largely employed for active volcano monitoring and investigations, often filling the abovementioned observational gaps. In addition to providing an actual and enhanced monitoring capability, satellite remote sensing may contribute to a better understanding of volcanic processes, providing a huge amount of data and products that can be routinely used by experts and volcanic observatories. Both passive optical instruments, including the new generation ones (e.g., Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, Multispectral Instrument Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer), and active systems (e.g., Synthetic Aperture Radar—SAR, Light detection and Ranging—LIDAR technologies) have increasingly extended the capacity in mapping and characterizing volcanic activities (e.g., lava flows, fumarole fields, deformation, eruptive plumes) better supporting traditional monitoring systems. This Special Issue focuses on innovative satellite remote sensing methodologies to study, investigate, and monitor volcanic phenomena. We encourage authors to submit original contributions on new applications and significant case studies, based on the use of satellite observations, related (but not limited) to the following main topics:   

• Thermal volcanic activity;
• Ash/gas emissions;
• Deformation processes;
• Changes of volcano topography

Contributions dealing with multiplatform observing systems and heterogeneous data integration and fusion will be particularly welcome.

Dr. Nicola Pergola
Dr. Simon Plank
Dr. Francesco Marchese
Prof. Michael Ramsey
Guest Editors

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• Remote sensing
• Earth observation
• Volcanoes
• Eruptions
• Deformation
• Volcanic ash
• Lava flows