Volcanic Ash Detection (CAP) - MSG - Indian Ocean

The ash detection is based on a reversed split window technique, supported by tests in the other IR channels and two VIS channels. The CAP formatted product provides an area defined by a polygon containing the ash mass loading as main parameter. The generation and dissemination shall only be activated after the reception of an alert from the VAAC-London. Applications & Users: Support to ash monitoring, aviation. Current users are the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre and Member States National Meteorological Services (NMS). Used input data include: the reflectances in the VIS0.6 and the IR3.9 channels; the brightness temperatures in the IR3.9, IR8.7, IR10.8 and IR12:0 channels and the solar zenith angle on pixel level. From 1 June 2022, Meteosat-9 at 45.5° E is the prime satellite for the IODC service, replacing Meteosat-8 (located at 41.5° E while in operation).