Measuring volcanic plume with our Micro Pulse Lidar
Our MPL has been shipped to Japan to study the volcanic ash of the recent eruption of Shinmoe-dake. A volcanic plume began to rise from the crater on Mount Shinmoe-dake in the Kirishimna range on Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu, starting January 19th. A huge plume of gas and ash has been causing damages 5 miles away from the eruption. Weathernews, one of the leading research and weather service companies in the world, asked for our Micro Pulse Lidar to monitor the volcanic plume and its evolution.
The MPL will be used to observe Shinmoe-dake from an observation point located to the east of it, in order to monitor the movements of the ash cloud over the most populated area.
“We will use the Sigma Space Lidar to measure the density to gather a better understanding of the plume profile and transport mechanisms” said Lance Steele, meteorologist from the Oklahoma Innovation Center, which works closely with the headquarters in Japan, to produce new and innovative disaster mitigation services for transportation industries worldwide.
Lanham, February 15, 2011
