Synchronization of High-Resolution Imageries Acquired by NOAA and SUOMI NFP Satellites for Active Fire Detection over Etna Volcano

Mount Etna, considered to be one of the world’s most active volcanoes, is located in Europe. In this study, we physically characterize and model the geohazard area recently caused by the active Etna volcano. An advanced image processing method is presented, in which the scene is acquired simultaneously by two high-resolution remote sensors, the NOAA and SUOMI NFP. The proposed experimental protocol for data visualization and analysis is as follows. First, the images are processed with the same spectral reflectance using VIIRS I-bands at 375 m spatial resolution. In more detail, the spectral signatures of pixels confirm the environmental changes according to color visualization coding. In this context, the widespread volcano clouds over Mount Etna are estimated approximately through a signal-processing measurement algorithm. Second, the images are acquired by two high-resolution sensors, which are the NOAA and SUOMI NFP, in the visible spectrum wavelength. The synchronization of both sensors provides more details about the area occupied by the volcano’s fires. A spectral wavelength analysis is presented in both cases: (1) non-synchronized (i.e., each sensor separately) and (2) synchronized (i.e., combination of two sensors). Third, the protocol of active fire detection applied to the geohazard of the Etna volcano is displayed: fire area detection and estimation, spectral measurement, synchronization of remote sensors, and assessment of the fire spread. Finally, the strengths and limitations of satellite-based active fire detection are presented with respect to the synchronization of different sensors. A theoretical and experimental study will be presented.