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
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since 2023 Professor (Investigador Titular A)
UNAM (Mexico), Dept. of Volcanology
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2020-2023 Associate Professor (Investigador Asociado C)
UNAM (Mexico), Dept. of Volcanology
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2017-2019 PostDoc fellowship
TUB (Germany), Dept. of Computer Vision & Remote Sensing
GFZ (Germany), Volcanic Hazards Team
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2013-2017 PostDoc fellowship
UNIFI (Italy), Laboratorio di Geofisica Sperimentale LGS
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2012-2013 PostDoc fellowship
UCA (France), Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans LMV
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2008-2011 PhD candidate
UCA (France), Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans LMV
Publications
All Publications:
View / filter all 43 academic publications
Featured Publications (top 5):
(2023).
Lava dome cycles reveal rise and fall of magma column at Popocatépetl volcano.
Nature Communications.
(2019).
Towards Global Volcano Monitoring Using Multisensor Sentinel Missions and Artificial Intelligence: The MOUNTS Monitoring System.
Remote Sensing.
(2018).
Dynamics of Mount Nyiragongo lava lake inferred from thermal imaging and infrasound array.
Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
(2016).
Tracking dynamics of magma migration in open-conduit systems.
Bulletin of Volcanology.
(2012).
Explosion mechanisms at Arenal volcano, Costa Rica: An interpretation from integration of seismic and Doppler radar data.
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.
Latest Publications (last 5):
* articles written by students under the supervision of Sébastien Valade
(2026).
From Quiescence to Unrest? Increase in Diffuse Gas Emissions from El Chichón Volcano Lake (2021--2025).
Journal of South American Earth Sciences.
(2026).
Evolving Open-Vent Activity at Popocatépetl Volcano (2019--2024): Satellite Insights into Conduit Permeability, the 2023 Paroxysmal Phase, and the Transition in Dome-Forming Behavior.
Journal of South American Earth Sciences.
(2026).
Magmatic and Gravity-Driven Deformation Dynamics at Popocatépetl Inferred from InSAR and GPS Data.
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research.
(2026).
VIGIA-PlumeNet and VIGIA-PlumeData: Open-source AI Segmenting Model and Database For Volcanic Plumes and Emissions from Optical Cameras.
Volcanica.
(2026).
Transition from Spot to Long-Lived Eruptive Activity in Continental Rifting Tracked by Monitoring Soil Degassing.
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research.
Talks
All Talks:
View all talks/posters
Latest Talks:
[invited talk]
(2026)
"Deep learning within the remote sensing volcanic monitoring platform MOUNTS",
ISTerre Machine Learning group seminar,
ISTerre (Institut des Sciences de la Terre),
Grenoble (France),
Jun 12, 2026
[invited talk]
(2026)
"MOUNTS observatory: potential for supporting a volcano monitoring framework for the Indian Ocean",
INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services),
Hyderabad (India),
Apr 27, 2026
[talk]
(2025)
"Monitoreo volcánico por satélites con el sistema MOUNTS: estado actual & desarrollos en curso",
Instituto Geofísico de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN),
Quito (Ecuador),
Nov 11, 2025
[poster]
(2025)
"Sistema de monitoreo de la actividad explosiva volcánica del Popocatépetl mediante infrasonidos",
UGM (Reunión Anual de la Unión Geofísica Mexicana),
Puerto Vallarta (Mexico),
Oct 26, 2025 — Oct 31, 2025
[invited seminar]
(2024)
"El volcán desde el espacio",
Simposio "30 años de la reactivación del Popocatépetl: estado del conocimiento sobre el volcán"
,
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Institute of Geophysics),
Mexico City (Mexico),
Dec 3, 2024
Funded projects
ASH-WATCH: Real-time Volcanic Ash Cloud detection from Satellite Imaging and AI
Automate real-time detection of volcanic ash clouds from geostationary satellite imagery (GOES) using AI foundation models, integrated into the MOUNTS monitoring platform.
VIVOMAC: VIvre au milieu des VOlcans au Mexique et en Amérique Centrale: Risques et patrimoine naturel
Foster transdisciplinary co-construction of knowledge on volcanic risk and natural heritage at Xitle (Mexico) and Ometepe/Mombacho (Nicaragua) volcanoes, bridging natural, social and human sciences.
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.
Implementation of an infrasonic monitoring system at Popocatépetl, similar to that operating at Etna (Ripepe et al. 2018). Live monitoring available here.
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.
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.
Contact
- valade@igeofisica.unam.mx
- UNAM - Instituto de Geofísica - Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito de la Investigación Científica s/n, Mexico City, 04510
- Mounts System