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Aim of the service
The aim of the SO2 data and alert service is to deliver in near-real time
data derived from satellite measurements regarding sulphur dioxide (SO2)
emissions possibly related to volcanic eruptions, and in case of exceptional
SO2 concentrations ("SO2 events") to send out alerts by email to interested
parties.
The service is formally called the Support to Aviation Control
Service (SACS for short), because it aims primarily at supporting the
Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAACs), the official organisations
responsible for gathering information on volcanic clouds. In case the
volcanic activity poses a hazard to aviation, the VAACs issue alerts to air
traffic control and airline organisations, so as to help these to decide
whether to reroute aeroplanes in case of volcanic clouds.
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Measurements by the OMI instrument of SO2 released by the Kasatochi volcano
(52.17N, 175.51W; summit 314 m), which erupted late in the evening of 7
August, one day after the eruption (left) and five days later (right).
The presence of a volcanic ash cloud made Alaska Airlines cancel 44 flights.
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