Infrared Imageries of Volcanic and Geothermal Areas in Kyushu by Helicopter

Abstract

Infrared measurements by a helicopter-borne remote sensing system were conducted in the nineteen volcanic and geothermal fields in Kyushu, south western Japan. Heat discharges calculated from the thermal images by a method based on heat balance of the ground surface range from 2.0 × 10⁵ cal/sec (for a weak steaming ground) to 2.1 x 10⁷ cal/sec (for a crater of an active volcano). Finally, it is found that average heat fluxes are approximately constant, 10⁴ HFU.