Advances in volcano monitoring driven by the first decade of Sentinel-1 observations

Sentinel-1 has transformed how satellite radar data (SAR and InSAR) are used in volcanology. The systematic, long-term archive and open-access policy means that volcano observatories and research organisations have invested in integrating Sentinel-1 datasets into their monitoring systems. We identify 233 high priority volcanoes and estimate that Sentinel-1 data has been used in peer-reviewed publications for 90 of them. We examine a global archive of 3.3 million automatically processed Sentinel-1 interferograms of volcanoes and use machine learning methods to identify eruptions and periods of unrest. We then review the ways in which InSAR data are being used in different contexts. At frequently erupting basaltic systems in Iceland, Hawaiʻi, the Galápagos, and Piton de la Fournaise, InSAR has become an effective monitoring tool and is integrated with other datasets and models to forecast magma pathways. For large explosive eruptions, deformation measurements often remain challenging, but SAR backscatter is increasingly used to map damaging flows and measure the changing shape of ocean islands. Sentinel-1's long archive provides critical baseline measurements that are vital for measuring slow deformation, capturing new periods of unrest and providing fresh insights into subsurface dynamics. Understanding the drivers of deformation remains challenging and typically relies on integration with external datasets. Future European Space Agency missions have the potential to improve both resolution and coverage providing an even richer dataset to further enhance global volcano monitoring. • Sentinel-1 has transformed satellite radar into an operational tool for volcanology. • Sentinel-1 imagery used in publications on >90 high priority volcanoes globally. • Sentinel-1 InSAR is now widely used for monitoring and forecasting magma pathways. • SAR backscatter is increasingly used for damage mapping during explosive eruptions. • The long archive is critical for measuring slow processes and detecting new unrest.

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Publication Details

Journal
Remote Sensing of Environment
Published
2026-03-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2026.115377
Primary Topic
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Advances in volcano monitoring driven by the first decade of Sentinel-1 observations

Ian Hamling, Matthew Gaddes, S. K. Ebmeier, Edna W. Dualeh et al.
Remote Sensing of Environment
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
article

Advances in volcano monitoring driven by the first decade of Sentinel-1 observations

Ian Hamling, Matthew Gaddes, S. K. Ebmeier, Edna W. Dualeh, Kyle R. Anderson, M. E. Pritchard, F. Galetto, Pablo Gonzalez, Jean Luc Froger, Valerie Cayol, Nantheera Anantrasirichai, Quentin Dumont, Andrew Hooper, Camila Novoa Lizama, Milan Lazecky, Juliet Biggs
article en

Abstract

Sentinel-1 has transformed how satellite radar data (SAR and InSAR) are used in volcanology. The systematic, long-term archive and open-access policy means that volcano observatories and research organisations have invested in integrating Sentinel-1 datasets into their monitoring systems. We identify 233 high priority volcanoes and estimate that Sentinel-1 data has been used in peer-reviewed publications for 90 of them. We examine a global archive of 3.3 million automatically processed Sentinel-1 interferograms of volcanoes and use machine learning methods to identify eruptions and periods of unrest. We then review the ways in which InSAR data are being used in different contexts. At frequently erupting basaltic systems in Iceland, Hawaiʻi, the Galápagos, and Piton de la Fournaise, InSAR has become an effective monitoring tool and is integrated with other datasets and models to forecast magma pathways. For large explosive eruptions, deformation measurements often remain challenging, but SAR backscatter is increasingly used to map damaging flows and measure the changing shape of ocean islands. Sentinel-1's long archive provides critical baseline measurements that are vital for measuring slow deformation, capturing new periods of unrest and providing fresh insights into subsurface dynamics. Understanding the drivers of deformation remains challenging and typically relies on integration with external datasets. Future European Space Agency missions have the potential to improve both resolution and coverage providing an even richer dataset to further enhance global volcano monitoring. • Sentinel-1 has transformed satellite radar into an operational tool for volcanology. • Sentinel-1 imagery used in publications on >90 high priority volcanoes globally. • Sentinel-1 InSAR is now widely used for monitoring and forecasting magma pathways. • SAR backscatter is increasingly used for damage mapping during explosive eruptions. • The long archive is critical for measuring slow processes and detecting new unrest.

Remote Sensing of EnvironmentVol. 339
Hokkaido University of Science (JP), GNS Science (NZ), United States Geological Survey (US), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), University of Leeds (GB), Université Clermont Auvergne (FR), Tohoku University (JP), Hokkaido University (JP), Cornell University (US), Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (IT), University of Bristol (GB), Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans (FR), Skipton General Hospital (GB), Centre for the Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tectonics (GB), Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (ES), Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon : Terre, Planètes et Environnement (FR), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR), Université Jean Monnet (FR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
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