Volcanic eruptions visible in MIPAS SO2 data

In this colour-coded SO₂ time series enhancements in connection with volcanic eruptions are clearly visible. The time and latitude of the eruption is indicated by symbols.

SO₂ has a weak signature in MIPAS spectra. Thus, preceding SO₂ analyses at IMK relied on averaged spectra, in order to reduce noise and to increase significance. Now retrievals from single spectra have been provided. This implies a much better time resolution, and results are no longer only meaningful in a climatological sense but allow to study processes like volcanic eruptions.

For further details, see http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/15/7017/2015/acp-15-7017-2015.pdf

This work has been performed in close co-operation with the FFB-group of IMK-ASF.