Data sources

Volcanoes

Volcano information in VolcanoDiscovery is compiled from a combination of direct observations, official observatory data, and internationally recognized scientific reference databases. This multi-source approach allows both near-real-time updates and consistent long-term classification.

• Direct field observations: Reports and measurements collected during VolcanoDiscovery expeditions and guided volcano tours, including on-site observations of activity, morphology, and eruptive phenomena.
• Local correspondents and expert network: Updates from a long-standing network of colleagues, researchers, local observers, and correspondents with regional expertise.
• Volcano observatories: Official updates and bulletins published by national and regional volcano observatories worldwide.
• Smithsonian Institution – Global Volcanism Project (GVP): The Smithsonian’s GVP database forms the backbone of the VolcanoDiscovery volcano catalog. Volcano naming, classification, numbering, and historical eruption records follow the GVP standard, which is the de-facto international scientific reference.
• Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAACs): Near-real-time information on volcanic ash plumes and eruption activity from official VAAC bulletins, primarily for aviation safety.
• Public satellite data: Analysis of openly available satellite imagery and products, including data from Copernicus, NASA, and other public Earth-observation programs, used to detect ash plumes, thermal anomalies, and large-scale eruptive activity.

Earthquakes

Earthquake information is compiled from multiple national and international seismological agencies. In addition, VolcanoDiscovery incorporates real-time user reports to provide rapid situational awareness.

Note: Event parameters (magnitude, depth, location) can vary slightly between agencies as solutions are refined.

User reports and rapid impact detection

Users can submit “felt it” reports through the app and website. When submitted through the app, reporting delays are often measured in seconds rather than minutes.

• Real-time user reports: Users can report felt earthquakes within seconds after experiencing ground shaking.
• Early event estimation: By analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of incoming reports, VolcanoDiscovery can often produce a very rough early estimate of an earthquake’s location and relative strength before official solutions are published.
• Rapid public awareness: In some cases, this allows earthquakes to be displayed or flagged earlier than reports from official agencies, which typically require instrumental processing and validation.

Note: Event parameters (magnitude, depth, location) can vary slightly between agencies as solutions are refined. User-based estimates are preliminary and approximate; official earthquake parameters from seismological agencies are used once available and may differ from early assessments.