Welcome to the NOAA/CIMSS Volcanic Cloud Monitoring Web Portal


The NOAA/CIMSS Volcanic Cloud Monitoring web site features near real-time processing of many geostationary and low-earth orbit satellites covering much of the globe. The content within the web site is a result of NOAA funded Volcanic Ash research projects led by NOAA scientist Michael Pavolonis.

For the latest real-time GEO and LEO satellite imagery (which also includes detected volcanic features) use the 'Satellite Imagery' tab. If you are unfamiliar with the regions covered, use the 'Coverage Map' tab to see the variety of sectors available. The satellite imagery and dervied product loops contain data for approximately the last 28 days. The 'Satellite Imagery' section is organized by Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) regions of responsibility with sectors over the historically most active locations of those VAAC regions. Currently the following satellites are being processed in near real-time: GOES-EAST, GOES-WEST, MSG SEVIRI, MODIS, VIIRS, and HIMAWARI (via direct broadcast feeds and NASA/SSEC near real-time feed) over parts of the globe--with more sensors to be added over the coming year(s).

VOLCAT references can be found at the VOLCAT Reference Page.