Satellite Microwave Links for Opportunistic Sensing of Volcanic Plumes: A Case Study on Mt. Etna

Volcanic plumes can significantly affect microwave propagation, especially in the Ku- and Ka-bands, where ash particles and water vapor emissions introduce measurable attenuation. This work investigates the use of geostationary satellite downlinks as opportunistic sensing resources for monitoring volcanic activity. Focusing on Mt. Etna as a representative testbed, the study characterizes the impact of volcanic components on microwave signals, models ash dispersion through a gaussian model, and evaluates the resulting attenuation along realistic geostationary link geometries. A key objective is to identify an optimal site on the volcano for installing a dedicated ground terminal capable of continuously detecting plume-induced impairments, taking into account geometrical visibility, dominant wind patterns, and practical logistical constraints. The results highlight the potential of geostationary downlinks as a complementary, low-cost tool for volcanic plume monitoring and provide a framework for the deployment of an operational opportunistic sensing station.