Volcano and Wildfire Monitoring System

It is possible to monitor volcanic activities and forest fires widely and regularly by using satellite-observed infrared data. JAXA is currently researching such utilization of satellite-observed infrared data in cooperation with external agencies.
This System that provides satellite-observed infrared data to disaster prevention agencies is to contribute to prevention and mitigation of disasters in the future.

This System provides satellite-observed infrared data to disaster prevention agencies, and aims at the following contributions:

Volcano

Volcanic activities are monitored by various methods including a seismometer, GNSS observation and a ground camera.
However, there are some areas where the observation is limited. For example, there are very limited methods of monitoring from the ground in some islands. Therefore, the frequency of observation is limited. To cover such areas, by adding satellite-observed infrared data, JAXA aims at monitoring regularly variations of volcanic activities and intensifying of geothermal activities, and knowing where is affected due to large-scale volcanos. These data are useful for disaster mitigation and understanding of ocean volcanic activities, optimization of aircraft observations.
It is also expected that the satellite makes is possible to observe volcanic activities at the night and from right above.
For more detailed information about field observations of volcano, please refer to the websites of Japan Meteorological Agency and Japan Coast Guard.

Wildfire

Most of forest fire in Japan are extinguished a few hours later, but in some cases they may spread to wide areas and continue for a few days or a few weeks.
Forest fires also spread to mountain areas where it is difficult to reach for extinguishment.
Therefore, the satellite observation is expected to know the spreading situation not only from a wide area and directly above, but also when the helicopter is impossible to be operated, such as at night or in bad weather.