Ionospheric Anomaly due to the volcanic eruption in Colima, Mexico, 06 January 2013: Two-Dimensional Principal Component Analysis

Abstract

The ionospheric total electron content (TEC) data from 05 to 10 January 2013 (UT) were examined by two-dimensional principal component analysis (2DPCA) and revealed a TEC anomaly related to the volcanic eruption in Colima, Mexico on 06 January, 2013. A TEC anomaly was detected above the volcano from 21:00 to 21:05 on 06 January 2013 (UT). The anomaly occurred for at least 5 minutes, during this time period we could identify the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA). The shock acoustic wave produced by eruption-induced seismic activity may be the cause of the observed TEC anomaly. We show that it is possible to monitor or predict volcanic eruptions and their associated seismic activity through the use of two-dimensional principal component analysis of the resulting TEC anomalies.

Keywords:

• Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA)
• Total Electron Content (TEC)
• Two-Dimensional Principal Component Analysis (2DPCA)
• volcanic eruption