Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano in Iceland, is continuing to erupt and now we have clear images thanks to NASA. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument, which is on NASA’s Terra spacecraft, has been able to take images of the ash plumes.The ASTER has been able to take several images of the volcano and the ashes that it has been emitting into the atmosphere. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and volcanic ash (aerosois) are being dispelled from the eruption clearly visible through the satellite images.
MODIS, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, is another instrument used aboard NASA’s Aqua and Terra satellites. MODIS has been able to capture images daily with infrared imagery. AIRS, Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, is on Aqua as well.
“Volcanic ash is rare but potentially catastrophic hazard to aviation,†according to a story on NASA’s website. NASA has been working closely with other agencies to determine how hazardous aviation would be at a given time. These satellite images have been an invaluable resource and will continue to provide updated imagery of Eyjafjallajökull.
To view the images visit: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/iceland-volcano-plume.html
