Fundamental gas-study methods for volcano monitoring include field sampling with laboratory analysis, measurements of volcanic-plume emission rates, and continuous on-site monitoring. Field sampling with laboratory analysis provides detailed chemical information about a specific location for a specific time. Gas-emission measurements reveal an average output commonly for SO2 and CO2. Continuous monitoring provides an understanding of temporal changes in gas concentrations. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and a strong gas-studies effort for monitoring purposes is synthesized using all three approaches, along with conventional geophysical-monitoring methods.
Return to:
[USGS Bulletin 1966 Menu] ...
[USGS Bulletin 1966 - Table of Contents] ...
[Volcano and Hydrologic Monitoring Menu] ...
