New publications 2020

Nyiragongo and the Virunga volcanoes, viewed from the Goma Volcano Observatory – Photo (c) B. Smets, 2011

During the first half of 2020, three different collaborations led to the publication of three peer-reviewed articles in three different disciplines. Here are the publications:

1) Morrison et al. (2020): « The Rheology of Crystallizing basaltic lavas from Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira volcanoes, DRC. », published in Volcanica (Open-Access)

2) James et al. (2020): « Volcanological applications of unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS): Developments, strategies, and future challenges. », published in Volcanica (Open-Access)

3) Mboga et al. (2020): « Fully convolutional networks for land cover classification from historical panchromatic aerial photographs. », published in ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

New PhD Position available at RMCA and VUB!

New PhD position in geomorphic hazards – compound events – remote sensing
available at RMCA and VUB.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated candidate for one new fully-funded PhD project. The aim of this project is to understand the controls of geomorphic hazards and compound events in Africa with earth observation and machine learning methods.

The position is at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium.

Details can be found in the attached PDF (click here).

Deadline for application is 02/03/2020.

Invitation to my public defense on 4th March 2016

Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira in 2010

[EN] You are cordially invited to my public PhD defense that  will take place at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Where: VUB, Campus Oefenplein, Etterbeek, Building D, Promotiezaal D.2.01 (Map)

When: Friday 4th March 2016, from 4 to 6:30 pm (defense + drink).

[FR] Vous êtes cordialement invités à ma défense de thèse publique qui se tiendra à la Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

: VUB, Campus Etterbeek, Bâtiment D, Promotiezaal D.2.01 (Carte)

Quand : vendredi 4 mars 2016, de 16h à 18h30 (défense + drink).

SAVE THE DATE: My public defense on March 4th, 2016

Installation of STLC

Dynamics of volcanic activity in a youthful extensional setting studied by means of remote sensing and ground-based monitoring techniques: Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes (North Kivu, D.R. Congo)

[EN] PhD Thesis submitted and private defense passed, it is time for the public defense!

So, I kindly invite you to it.

Save the date: Friday March 4th, 2016, from 4 to 6:30 pm.

The defense will take place at the Vrije Universteit Brussel. The exact location will be provided as soon as possible.

For the abstract of the thesis, click here!

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Nyiragongo lava lake during a minor overflow, in September 2011. (Photo: B. Smets, 2011)

Dynamics of volcanic activity in a youthful extensional setting studied by means of remote sensing and ground-based monitoring techniques: Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes (North Kivu, D.R. Congo)

[FR] Thèse de doctorat soumise, défense privée réussie, il est temps de la défendre publiquement !

Je vous invite donc à y assister.

Sauvez la date : le vendredi 4 mars 2016, de 16 à 18h30.

La défense de thèse aura lieu à la Vrije Universiteit Brussel. La localisation exacte sera fournie dès que possible.

Pour lire le résumé de la thèse, cliquez ici !

New photo gallery: Nightscape

Milky Way in Sardinia, Italy - August 2015 (Click on the picture to see the Nightscape Gallery)

Milky Way in Sardinia, Italy – August 2015
(Click on the picture to see the Nightscape Gallery)

[FR] Une nouvelle galerie photo intitulée « Nightscape » a été récemment mise en ligne sur mon site web. Vous y trouverez quelques photos prises cet été . De nouvelles photos de nightscape concernant les volcans des Virunga seront prochainement ajoutés. Profitez bien de ces images !

[EN] A new photo gallery called « Nightscape » has recently been added on my website. In this gallery, you will find a few pictures taken this summer. Additional nightscape pictures taken in the Virunga volcanic province will been added soon. Enjoy the pictures!

Recent activity report on Nyamulagira volcano

Nyamulagira's summit caldera and its permant gas plume escaping from the pit crater. Photo: (c) B. Smets, July 2014.

Nyamulagira’s summit caldera and its permant gas plume escaping from the pit crater.
Photo: (c) B. Smets, July 2014.

[EN] The Smithsonian Institution (USA), through its Global Volcanism Program, recently published a report summarizing the eruptive activity of Nyamulagira volcano from April 2014 to January 2015. This report is available here.

[FR] La Smithsonian Institution (USA) a récemment publié, dans le cadre de son « Global Volcanism Program », un rapport résumant l’activité éruptive du volcan Nyamulagira entre avril 2015 et Janvier 2015. Ce rapport est disponible ici.

New photo: Virunga lava lakes by night!

Virunga volcanoes by night

[EN] Currently in the Goma region for the maintenance of the volcano monitoring networks, N. d’Oreye (ECGS/NMNH) took this amazing photo of Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira by night. This picture was acquired from the Goma Volcano Observatory, in the evening of 15th May 2015. The good visibility allowed enjoying the red glows of Nyiragongo’s (right) and Nyamulagira’s (left) lava lakes. This photo is just gorgeous!

[FR] Actuellement dans la région de Goma pour la maintenance des réseaux d’instruments de surveillance volcanique, N. d’Oreye (ECGS/MNHN) à eu l’occasion de prendre cette magnifique photo du Nyiragongo et du Nyamulagira de nuit. Cette image a été prise depuis l’Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma, dans la soirée du 15 mai 2015. La bonne visibilité a en effet permis d’admirer les lueurs rouges liées aux lacs de lave du Nyiragongo (à droite) et du Nyamulagira (à gauche). Cette photo est juste splendide !

Renewing activity at Nyamulagira – Images from July 2014 now released!

[EN] Images of lava fountains in the Nyamulagira caldera, acquired during helicopter flights and field work in July 2014, are now released through a short video posted on YouTube.

Enjoy these breathtaking images!

[FR] Les images des fontaines de lave dans la caldera du Nyamulagira, qui furent acquises en juillet 2014 lors de survols en hélicoptère et d’observations au sol, sont maintenant publiées dans une petite vidéo postée sur YouTube.

Profitez bien de ces images à couper le souffle !

Benoît

Lava Lake Overflows at Nyiragongo: Time-Lapse Video

Nyiragongo Lava Lake Overflow

[FR] Lors de notre expédition scientifique au sommet du Nyiragongo, en septembre 2011, j’ai réalisé une time-lapse video, sur base de photos prises toutes les 2 minutes. Dans cette vidéo (voir ci-dessous), on peut voir plusieurs coulées de lave s’échapper du lac de lave et envahir la plate-forme inférieure (appelée P3) du cratère principal.

Profitez bien de ces images exceptionnelles de débordements du lac de lave !

PS: Merci à VOCATIO et à Nikon BeLux pour leur aide précieuse dans la réalisation des time-lapse cameras !

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[EN] During our September 2011 scientific expedition of top of Nyiragongo, I realized a time-lapse video, with photos taken every 2 minutes. In this video (here below), we can see several lava flows escaping from the lava lake and invading the lower platform (called P3) of the main crater.

Enjoy these exceptional images of lava lake overflow !

PS: Many thanks go to VOCATIO and Nikon BeLux for their precious help in the development of the time-lapse cameras!

Amazing Landsat 8 image of Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes!

Landsat 8 image acquired on 9th February 2015, over Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes.  Source: USGS EROS Data Center

Landsat 8 image acquired on 9th February 2015, over Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes.
Image source: USGS EROS Data Center

[FR] Le 9 février 2015, le satellite américain Landsat 8 a pris une image exceptionnelle des volcans Nyiragongo et Nyamulagira, tous deux situés dans l’est de la République Démocratique du Congo. L’absence (rare) de couverture nuageuse permet en effet de voir les deux volcans actifs émettre un panache de gaz permanent poussé vers le sud-ouest par les vents dominants. Mais le plus impressionnant provient des bandes spectrales situées dans l’infrarouge. Quand on combine les bandes 5, 6 et 7 de l’image Landsat 8, le lac de lave de chaque volcan apparaît sous la forme d’un halo lumineux (voir image ci-dessous). Profitez bien de cette magnifique image !

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[EN] On 9th February 2015, the US Landsat 8 satellite took an exceptional image of Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes, both located in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The absence (infrequent) of a dense cloud cover allows to observe these two highly active volcanoes emitting a permanent gas plume driven southwestward by the dominant winds. But, the most amazing thing comes from the infrared spectral bands. When bands 5, 6 and 7 of the Landsat 8 image are combined, the lava lake of each volcano appears as a halo of light (see image hereafter). Enjoy this beautiful image!

RGB-composite image, with bands 5, 6 and 7 of the Landsat 8 image. Image source: USGS EROS Data Center

RGB-composite image, with bands 5, 6 and 7 of the Landsat 8 image. Image source: USGS EROS Data Center