Independent Volcanic Eruption Source Parameter Archive (IVESPA)

The Independent Volcanic Eruption Source Parameter Archive (IVESPA) is an online archive of published volcano eruption information relevant for informing development and validation of eruption column models and empirical relations of eruption plume height and mass eruption rate. Version 1.0 contains independent eruption source parameter information for 134 eruptive events, and available for download.

The information in the archive was collated with the intention to be used to evaluate eruption column models by providing the required inputs, and outputs for testing results against previous events. The information may also be used to investigate relationships between eruption and environment (e.g. atmospheric) characteristics and key eruption parameters such as column height. Extensive information on IVESPA v1.0 is provided in the companion publication published by the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research as an invited research article. A 10-minute video highlighting some of the main features of IVESPA is available.

A second in Geophysical Research Letters uses the first version of IVESPA to re-assess simple empirical relationships between the mass eruption rate and four different types of column height: spreading level, sulfur dioxide height, and top height from direct observations and as reconstructed from deposits. As part of this publication, we prepared a spreadsheet to facilitate the application of these new relationships by, e.g., ash dispersion modellers or volcano observatories. We also published all Matlab scripts used to analyze IVESPA in this paper on GitHub to facilitate usage of IVESPA by volcanology researchers and other users.

Visualisation of the process for dataset production and final contents Schematic overview of IVESPA's main features.

For more information on IVESPA, and to express an interest in getting involved, please contact us.

In partnership