Professor Matthew Watson
M.Sc.(Leic.), Ph.D.(Cantab.)
Current positions
Professor of Volcanoes and Climate
School of Earth Sciences
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
My research involves inversion of remotely-sensed data to retrieve physical parameters of volcanic plumes and clouds over several spatial scales, using both ground- and satellite-based techniques. These include ultraviolet (DOAS) and thermal infrared (ASTER) gas spectroscopy, and visible, near infrared (Sun-photometers) and thermal infrared aerosol retrievals (MODIS, AIRS).
My current research includes investigation of SO2 and SO42- retrievals, generation of an aerosol forward model, atmospheric correction of ash retrievals; spectrally independent calibration of SO2 retrievals using TOMS, ASTER, MODIS and AIRS, and the use of the ASTER, MODIS and AIRS in the retrieval of volcanic SO2, SO42-, and silicate ash burdens.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
WildDrone
Principal Investigator
Description
Autonomous Drones for Nature Conservation MissionsManaging organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
01/01/2023 to 31/12/2026
Workshop for Early Warning Systems
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Earth SciencesDates
01/10/2022 to 31/03/2023
Aerial Robotics for Search and Rescue
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
19/09/2022 to 18/09/2026
Ixchel: Building understanding of the physical, cultural and socio-economic drivers of risk for strengthening resilience in the Guatemalan cordillera
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Earth SciencesDates
14/05/2020 to 31/12/2023
Dynamic Risk at Fuego Volcano Communities living in a post-eruption but still persistently active context
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Earth SciencesDates
01/10/2018 to 30/09/2019
Publications
Selected publications
01/10/2012Stratospheric aerosol particles and solar radiation management
Nature Climate Change
Recent publications
31/10/2024Structural Design, Modelling and Testing of a 2U CubeSat Thermal/Visual Imaging Payload
Proceedings of the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC)
WildBridge
15th annual International Micro Air Vehicle Conference and Competition
The Student-Led Design and Testing of an Imaging CubeSat Payload
Design of a collector for sampling volcanic ash using unmanned aerial systems
Journal of Aerosol Science
A Student-Led Project for the Design of an Imaging CubeSat Payload
EGU 2022
Related people
Professor Tom Richardson
Professor of Aerial Robotics
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Professor Lucy Berthoud
Professor of Space Engineering
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Professor Andrew Calway
Professor of Computer Vision
School of Computer Science
Dr Ailsa Naismith
Honourary Senior Research Associate in Volcanic Risk
School of Earth Sciences
Professor Karen Aplin
Professor of Space Science and Technology
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering