Sébastien Valade

Sébastien Valade

Professor - Volcanology/Geophysics

Department of Volcanology (Institute of Geophysics, UNAM)

Sébastien Valade is Professor (Investigador Titular A) in the Department of Volcanology in the Institute of Geophysics at UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City). He is the founder and developer of the volcano monitoring system MOUNTS (Monitoring Unrest from Space, www.mounts-project.com).

He is a member of the Editorial Board in the journal Communications Earth & Environment (Nature Portfolio).


Interests
  • volcanic eruption dynamics
  • ground- & satellite-based observation of volcanic activity
  • computer vision
  • machine- & deep-learning applied to volcanology
Professional Appointments

Publications

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Featured Publications (top 5):

(2023). Lava dome cycles reveal rise and fall of magma column at Popocatépetl volcano. Nature Communications.

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(2019). Towards Global Volcano Monitoring Using Multisensor Sentinel Missions and Artificial Intelligence: The MOUNTS Monitoring System. Remote Sensing.

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(2018). Dynamics of Mount Nyiragongo lava lake inferred from thermal imaging and infrasound array. Earth and Planetary Science Letters.

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(2016). Tracking dynamics of magma migration in open-conduit systems. Bulletin of Volcanology.

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(2012). Explosion mechanisms at Arenal volcano, Costa Rica: An interpretation from integration of seismic and Doppler radar data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.

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Latest Publications (last 5):

(2023). Lava dome cycles reveal rise and fall of magma column at Popocatépetl volcano. Nature Communications.

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(2023). Automatic retrieval of volcanic SO2 emission source from TROPOMI products. Frontiers in Earth Science.

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(2022). Sangay volcano (Ecuador): the opening of two new vents, a drumbeat seismic sequence and a new lava flow in late 2021. Volcanica.

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(2022). CNES-ESA satellite contribution to the operational monitoring of volcanic activity: The 2021 Icelandic eruption of Mt. Fagradalsfjall. Journal of Applied Volcanology.

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(2022). Modulation of Popocatépetl's activity by regional and worldwide earthquakes. Bulletin of Volcanology.

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Talks

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Latest Talks:

[invited seminar] (2024) "Mecanismos de construcción y destrucción de domos de lava en el volcán Popocatépetl", Institute Seminar, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Institute of Geophysics), Mexico City (Mexico), Apr 24, 2024 12:00 AM

[invited talk] (2024) "Volcano monitoring assisted by Deep Learning: experience from the satellite monitoring system MOUNTS", DEEPVOLC meetings, Leeds (UK), Mar 20, 2024 12:00 AM — 12:00 AM

[invited talk] (2024) "MOUNTS Monitoring Unrest from Space", GDACS (Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System), Ispra (Italy), Feb 29, 2024 12:00 AM — 12:00 AM

[talk] (2024) "Lava dome cycles at Popocatépetl: insights into shallow magma dynamics from multiparametric satellite datasets", Cities on Volcanoes 12, Naples (Italy), Feb 11, 2024 — Feb 17, 2024

[talk] (2021) "Volcanic hazard monitoring from space using MOUNTS", 90° Congresso della Società Geologica Italiana, Trieste (Italy), Sep 14, 2021 — Sep 16, 2021

Funded projects

OMEGA: Observatorio Mundial de Erupciones Guiado por Inteligencia Artificial
Leverage cloud-based data and deep learning strategies to enhance the MOUNTS monitoring system into a global intelligent volcano observatory powered by AI.
Infrasonic surveillance system for explosive eruptions at Popocatépetl
Implementation of an infrasonic monitoring system at Popocatépetl, similar to that operating at Etna (Ripepe et al. 2018).
Classification and formation processes of lava lakes
Study of active lava lake formation and potential drainage processes.
Linking space and ground-based observations for better understanding and prediction of eruptive crises
Study of eruptive processes through the combined quantification of topographic changes in active craters using satellite-based SAR amplitude imagery, and the evolution of degassing rates using ground-based infrasonic arrays.
MOUNTS-AI: artificial intelligence for volcano monitoring
Deep Learning strategies in support of operational volcano monitoring.
MOUNTS: Monitoring Unrest from Space
Space-based volcano monitoring platform powered by Sentinel (-1, -2, -5P) and Deep Learning.
MODAPLUMES: Models and Data for Plumes
Retrieval of volcanic ash plume source parameters by coupling infrared imagery with fluid-dynamic models.

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