EU radar imaging system to monitor volcanic activity at Mount Stromboli
The Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has announced that it is to monitor movements on Italy's Mount Stromboli volcano using its innovative radar imaging system. Following the recent volcanic activities that devastated the region, the Italian department of civil protection called upon the JRC institute in Ispra, to measure the ground movement at Mount Stromboli. Using the linear synthetic aperture (LISA), a high-resolution radar system, it is hoped that early warnings can be provided of volcanic activity as well as the risk of landslides from the walls of the volcano. The radar imaging system is part of a wider range of technologies used for environmental and risk monitoring in Europe and has already proven its operational reliability in monitoring deformation in dams and bridges as well as detecting landslides and monitoring historical monuments. 'To foster European capability in civil protection, we have to foster research and technological applications to improve our monitoring and early warning tools,' said European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin. The Commissioner noted that 'Acquiring accurate scientific data from active volcanoes has posed major problems for years. The great advantage of the technology in the JRC's LISA radar imaging system is its ability to monitor ground displacements in real time. We shall be ready to inform Italian authorities quickly and alert local populations. And we will able to apply this system elsewhere.' Some of the functionalities provided by the LISA radar system include remote observation, day and night operability, and maximum flexibility in terms of viewing capacity and frequency of observation. Scientists will make use of specially developed LISA software applications so that data can instantly be processed and analysed from ground control: The radar is also capable of obtaining measurements of areas of the volcano. The area could range from a few metres to a few kilometres, and the radar could be used to zoom in on sections of the volcano which are of particular interest. LISA is already installed on Mont Stromboli and is in the process of being adjusted and tested for use.