The permanent thermal infrared network for the monitoring of hydrothermal activity at the Solfatara and Vesuvius volcanoes

Abstract

In this paper we describe the activities carried out for the realization of an image surveillance systems, in the thermal infrared (TIR) wavelengths range, for the continuous long-term monitoring of the shallow thermal structure of the Solfatara (Campi Flegrei) and Vesuvius volcanoes. The system implementation was pursued by both acquiring and integrating all the technological instruments necessary to operate an instrumental system constituted by: a network of remote monitoring stations; a transmission system for the image data centralization; a control unit for both the remote stations control and the acquired data processing. The analysis of two-years long series of IR images collected at the Solfatara allowed us to evaluate, in the observation period, the main thermal features of the major fumarole field located in the SE inner slope of the Solfatara crater.