Exploitation of OCO-3 Satellite Data to Analyse Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Mt. Etna Volcano
The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3) mission provides a new perspective for studying atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Here we assess the potentiality of OCO-3 satellite acquisitions to analyse and monitor the CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from Mt. Etna volcano. Wh...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Vito Romaniello Gaetana Ganci |
| author_facet | Vito Romaniello Gaetana Ganci |
| author_sort | Vito Romaniello |
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| description | The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3) mission provides a new perspective for studying atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Here we assess the potentiality of OCO-3 satellite acquisitions to analyse and monitor the CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from Mt. Etna volcano. While OCO-3 data are well-suited for gas analysis on a regional spatial scale, they have not yet been widely utilised for studying volcanic carbon dioxide emissions. The Snapshot Area Map (SAM) acquisition mode enables the capture of targeted snapshots over volcanic regions, allowing for the measurement of CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations in the vicinity of volcanic structures. In this work, we analyse 62 OCO-3 images acquired between 2020 and 2023, focusing on measurements within a 20 km radius of Mt. Etna’s summit, where the main craters are located. Atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations are examined as a function of distance from the summit, and assuming a linear decreasing trend, the angular coefficient is computed. Lower angular coefficient values may indicate a stronger volcanic CO<sub>2</sub> contribution. Considering both the number of sampled pixels in each OCO-3 snapshot and the associated uncertainties in the angular coefficient calculation, we identify five days with potentially significant CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from Mt. Etna, likely associated with specific volcanic activity phases. The eruptive activity on these five days is further investigated, revealing a possible correlation between elevated gas emissions and intense volcanic phenomena, such as lava fountains. This assessment is supported by thermal activity analyses using SEVIRI, MODIS, and VIIRS satellite data. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ce00be5b4aae47bb91125f6e09b80a802025-08-20T03:46:49ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-05-011711191810.3390/rs17111918Exploitation of OCO-3 Satellite Data to Analyse Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Mt. Etna VolcanoVito Romaniello0Gaetana Ganci1Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma, ItalyIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma, ItalyThe Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3) mission provides a new perspective for studying atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Here we assess the potentiality of OCO-3 satellite acquisitions to analyse and monitor the CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from Mt. Etna volcano. While OCO-3 data are well-suited for gas analysis on a regional spatial scale, they have not yet been widely utilised for studying volcanic carbon dioxide emissions. The Snapshot Area Map (SAM) acquisition mode enables the capture of targeted snapshots over volcanic regions, allowing for the measurement of CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations in the vicinity of volcanic structures. In this work, we analyse 62 OCO-3 images acquired between 2020 and 2023, focusing on measurements within a 20 km radius of Mt. Etna’s summit, where the main craters are located. Atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations are examined as a function of distance from the summit, and assuming a linear decreasing trend, the angular coefficient is computed. Lower angular coefficient values may indicate a stronger volcanic CO<sub>2</sub> contribution. Considering both the number of sampled pixels in each OCO-3 snapshot and the associated uncertainties in the angular coefficient calculation, we identify five days with potentially significant CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from Mt. Etna, likely associated with specific volcanic activity phases. The eruptive activity on these five days is further investigated, revealing a possible correlation between elevated gas emissions and intense volcanic phenomena, such as lava fountains. This assessment is supported by thermal activity analyses using SEVIRI, MODIS, and VIIRS satellite data.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/11/1918OCO-3carbon dioxideMt. Etna volcanosatellite measurementsvolcanic activity |
| spellingShingle | Vito Romaniello Gaetana Ganci Exploitation of OCO-3 Satellite Data to Analyse Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Mt. Etna Volcano Remote Sensing OCO-3 carbon dioxide Mt. Etna volcano satellite measurements volcanic activity |
| title | Exploitation of OCO-3 Satellite Data to Analyse Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Mt. Etna Volcano |
| title_full | Exploitation of OCO-3 Satellite Data to Analyse Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Mt. Etna Volcano |
| title_fullStr | Exploitation of OCO-3 Satellite Data to Analyse Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Mt. Etna Volcano |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploitation of OCO-3 Satellite Data to Analyse Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Mt. Etna Volcano |
| title_short | Exploitation of OCO-3 Satellite Data to Analyse Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Mt. Etna Volcano |
| title_sort | exploitation of oco 3 satellite data to analyse carbon dioxide emissions from the mt etna volcano |
| topic | OCO-3 carbon dioxide Mt. Etna volcano satellite measurements volcanic activity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/11/1918 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vitoromaniello exploitationofoco3satellitedatatoanalysecarbondioxideemissionsfromthemtetnavolcano AT gaetanaganci exploitationofoco3satellitedatatoanalysecarbondioxideemissionsfromthemtetnavolcano |