The ultimate goal of my research is to provide continuous and accurate measurements of the composition and intensity of volcanic degassing at the source during volcanic eruptions. I use a large collection of research tools and methods to investigate the composition and magnitude of gases emitted during an eruption. I aim to develop new methods to create a complete documentation of volcanic plumes at the site of active eruptions, combining the high sampling frequency of imaging techniques (UV and IR cameras, webcams, etc.) and the high accuracy of spectroscopic techniques (DOAS and FTIR spectroscopy) for remote detection and in-situ measurements.
The exsolution of gases is one of the primary drivers of all volcanic activity, and in large part determines the type of activity witnessed at the surface. But in contrast to other common monitoring tools like seismicity or deformation, it is extremely difficult to obtain a continuous and accurate record of gas composition and emission. In addition to being a useful monitoring signal, gas composition can reveal important information about what’s happening in the magma plumbing system. Careful monitoring of the emitted gases and aerosols is also crucial to forecast air quality around eruptive sites.
