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Preliminary report of USGS Preliminary report of USGS Radar Requirements:Radar Requirements:Multifunction Phased Array (MPAR) Multifunction Phased Array (MPAR) Working Group, March 20-21, 2007Working Group, March 20-21, 2007
David Schneider U.S. Geological SurveyAlaska Volcano ObservatoryAnchorage, [email protected]
U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey
USGS Natural Hazards Mandate
USGS has a statutory responsibility to issue warnings of natural hazards as mandated by the Stafford Act of 1974.
The Director of the Geological Survey, through the Secretary of the Interior, has been delegated the responsibility to issue disaster warnings “...for an earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, or other geologic catastrophe.”
This briefing will focus on the utility of radar data in the mitigation of Volcano and Landslide hazards.
USGS Geologic Hazards Programs
Earthquake Hazards $51.4 M and 220 FTE
Volcano Hazards $21.6 M and 127 FTE
Landslide Hazards $3.3 M and 20 FTE
Global Seismological Network $3.9 M and 5 FTE
Geomagnetism $2.0 M and 14 FTE
Distribution of U.S. volcanoes and USGS Volcano Observatories
Ground and Aviation Hazards
Primarily Aviation Hazards
Volcanic Ash Hazard Airborne ash poses a severe hazard to aircraft and prompt ash
cloud detection and warning is crucial. Significant ash fall hazard to people and infrastructure. Mitigation of the aviation and ground hazards are a shared
responsibility of the USGS (the volcano) and the NWS (the atmosphere).
Existing monitoring methods cannot, by themselves, unambiguously detect explosive eruptions.
Capabilities for eruption detection and observation are improved through use of radar.
WSR-88DAugustine, 2006
USGS Volcano Radar Experience
Weather radars have helped the USGS to monitor and confirm explosive volcanic activity at several eruptions in the past 27 years.
Mount St. Helens, Washington, 1980 (WSR-74C: NWS and FAA: Seattle, Spokane).
Pinatubo, Philippines, 1991 (AN/FPS-77: Clark AFB and AN/FPS-106: Cubi Point NAS).
Mount Spurr, Alaska, 1992 (WR 100-2 C: NWS lease).
Popocatepetl, Mexico 1997-1999 (Kavouras Triton C-band: USGS).
Augustine, Alaska, 2006 (WSR-88D: FAA).
USGS VolcRad (MiniMax 100C) Currently being built by EEC
C-band Doppler; 6’ dish; 250 watts.
For tactical deployment at restless volcanoes.
Maximum range for detection of eruption columns ~ 100 km.
Rapid sector volume scans (30 s).
Advantages Coverage where WSR-88D is not available or too distant. Operational control and rapid scan capability. Ability to merge radar data with other geophysical data streams. Autonomous operation with alarm.
Information Needs (Ideal Case)Information Needs (Ideal Case)
Eruption column height (frequently over time). Column shape (i.e. mushroom, plume). Time evolution (ascent and dispersion). Water content of the column (esp. ice formation). Vertical mass distribution (over time). Estimate of particle size. Velocity and turbulence within the column.
USGS Volcano needs under MPAR (B=baseline, O=optimal)
Radar Temporal resolution: 1 min (B); 10 sec (O) for short bursts. Beam resolution: 2 km (B); 250 m (O). “Sensitivity”: Ability to image eruption columns (+65 dBZ) and
drifting fine-grained ash clouds (-10 dBZ) without changing modes (O).
Dual-polarization to differentiate ash from hydrometeors (B).
Geographical Coverage WSR-88D sites (B); Eliminate gaps in Aleutians and Northern
Marianas (O).
Data Availability Reflectivity, velocity, spectrum width Delivery to volcano observatories: 5 min (B); near real-time (O). Complete archive of US and it territories (B).
Additional InformationAdditional Information
USGS Volcano Hazards Program (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov)USGS Volcano Hazards Program (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov)
““An Assessment of Volcanic Threat and Monitoring Capabilities in An Assessment of Volcanic Threat and Monitoring Capabilities in the United States: Framework for a National Volcano Early Warning the United States: Framework for a National Volcano Early Warning SystemSystem” (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1164/)” (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1164/)
Landslide Potential of the Conterminous United States
Very HighHighModerate
Landslide Hazard ProgramLandslide Hazard Program
Produces landslide-hazard and debris-flow assessments.
Researches landslide and debris-flow processes. Develops and deploys instruments to monitor and
forecast threatening landslides and debris-flows. Near-real-time monitoring systems in California, near
Yosemite NP, Portand and Newport,Oregon. Responds to landslide emergencies and assists
Federal, State, and local agencies. USGS LHP works in conjunction with the NWS to
issue advisories and press releases concerning potential activity.
Landslide Program Use of Radar Data
NOAA-USGS demonstration flash-flood and debris-flow early-warning system. Focus on recently burned areas of Southern California. NWS utilizes WSR-88D, rain gauges, and satellite techniques
to predict and monitor precipitation. National Severe Storms Laboratory SMART-R portable radar
utilized to fill WSR88-D gaps and improve spatial resolution.
Research utilizing Level III WSR88-D data to determine rainfall intensity-duration thresholds for landslide generation through analysis of past events.
NOAA-USGS Debris-Flow Warning System
WSR-88DRain Gauges
USGS Landslide needs under MPAR (B=baseline, O=optimal)
Radar Precipitation Product Temporal resolution: 30 min (B); 10 min (O). Spatial resolution: 2 km2 grid (B); 100 m2 grid (O). Dual-polarization to improve accuracy (B).
Geographical Coverage WSR-88D sites (B); Eliminate coverage gaps in highly
urbanized environments with high landslide potential (O).
Data Availability Delivery to USGS: Near real-time as collected (B). Complete archive of US and it territories (B).
Additional Information
USGS Landslide Hazards Program (http://landslides.usgs.gov/)
Landslide Hazards Program 5-Year Plan 2006-2010 (http://landslides.usgs.gov/nlic/LHP_2006_Plan.pdf)
Additional Work
Determine whether USGS Water Resources Discipline has any MPAR requirements.
Work with other DOI agencies (NPS, BLM, USF&W) to develop a Department level needs assessment.
Questions?
