Post-doc at INGV-Osservatorio Etneo, Italy (2020)
Post-doc at Cornell University, USA (2021-2025)
Researcher at INGV-Osservatorio Nazionale Terremoti, Italy (2025)
EDUCATION
B.Sc. Geology at University of Roma Tre (IT)
M.Sc. Geological Sciences at University of Roma Tre (IT)
Ph. D. Earth Sciences 2019 at University of Roma Tre (IT)
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Geophysics, Geology, Earth and Planetary Sciences
18
Scopus Publications
330
Scholar Citations
8
Scholar h-index
8
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Advances in volcano monitoring driven by the first decade of Sentinel-1 observations Juliet Biggs, Nantheera Anantrasirichai, Kyle R. Anderson, Valerie Cayol, Edna W. Dualeh, Quentin Dumont, Susanna K. Ebmeier, Jean Luc Froger, Matthew Gaddes, Federico Galetto, Pablo J. Gonzalez, Ian Hamling, Andrew Hooper, Milan Lazecky, Camila Novoa Lizama, Matthew E. Pritchard Remote Sensing of Environment, 2026 Sentinel-1 has transformed how satellite radar data (SAR and InSAR) are used in volcanology. The systematic, long-term archive and open-access policy means that volcano observatories and research organisations have invested in integrating Sentinel-1 datasets into their monitoring systems. We identify 233 high priority volcanoes and estimate that Sentinel-1 data has been used in peer-reviewed publications for 90 of them. We examine a global archive of 3.3 million automatically processed Sentinel-1 interferograms of volcanoes and use machine learning methods to identify eruptions and periods of unrest. We then review the ways in which InSAR data are being used in different contexts. At frequently erupting basaltic systems in Iceland, Hawaiʻi, the Galápagos, and Piton de la Fournaise, InSAR has become an effective monitoring tool and is integrated with other datasets and models to forecast magma pathways. For large explosive eruptions, deformation measurements often remain challenging, but SAR backscatter is increasingly used to map damaging flows and measure the changing shape of ocean islands. Sentinel-1's long archive provides critical baseline measurements that are vital for measuring slow deformation, capturing new periods of unrest and providing fresh insights into subsurface dynamics. Understanding the drivers of deformation remains challenging and typically relies on integration with external datasets. Future European Space Agency missions have the potential to improve both resolution and coverage providing an even richer dataset to further enhance global volcano monitoring. • Sentinel-1 has transformed satellite radar into an operational tool for volcanology. • Sentinel-1 imagery used in publications on >90 high priority volcanoes globally. • Sentinel-1 InSAR is now widely used for monitoring and forecasting magma pathways. • SAR backscatter is increasingly used for damage mapping during explosive eruptions. • The long archive is critical for measuring slow processes and detecting new unrest.
Evaluating steady-state volcanism in Iceland, La Réunion, Hawai'i, and western Galápagos: connections with volcanic hazards and future perspectives Federico Galetto, Beatriz Asfora, Matthew E. Pritchard Volcanica, 2026 Steady-state volcanoes and magmatic provinces erupt magmas at nearly constant rates over the course of decades. Here, we analyzed the reliability of steady-state volcanism and its relationship with volcanic hazard evaluation in terms of forecasting the erupted volume at four frequently erupting oceanic hotspots: Iceland, La Réunion, Hawai‘i, and western Galápagos. Over decadal timespans, these hotspots show steady-state activity often characterized by shorter-term cycles with an initial decrease in eruption rates, followed by an increase that rebalances the erupted volumes with the expected ones, providing a rough estimation of the maximum expected erupted volume of these paroxysmal periods. Although rarer, we also observe the opposite behaviour, with the eruption of more magma than expected, followed by low-rate periods proportional to the excess erupted volume. Steadystate rates can change over time, and future studies should investigate if these changes are related to longer-term episodes.
Quantifying the Eruptive Flux on Venus With VenSAR Informed by Observations From Earth and Io E. Eiden, M. E. Pritchard, F. Galetto, P. K. Byrne, I. Ganesh, R. Herrick, K. L. Jessup, C. L. Johnson, S. D. King, A. Le Gall, P. J. Mason, N. Mueller Journal of Geophysical Research Planets, 2025 The current volcanic output of Venus is unknown. In the 2030s, the VenSAR (Venus Synthetic Aperture Radar) instrument onboard the European Space Agency's (ESA) EnVision mission will estimate the global volcanic mass flux by looking for new flows with radar imaging at resolutions of 10 or 30 m/pixel, which can be compared with the 1990s‐era Magellan data (100–300 m/pixel). Based on eruptions on Earth and Io, we make suggestions for measuring the Venusian global eruptive flux. We do not need to observe small eruptions with Eruption Magnitude (based on mass) <3 because (at least on Earth) they produce <10% of the aggregate erupted mass. Assuming that the size–frequency distribution of Earth lava flows and domes holds on Venus and is augmented to include flows 75% longer as predicted for the Venus surface, we find that all Eruption Magnitude ≥3 eruptions are detectable by VenSAR–VenSAR imaging and >80% by VenSAR–Magellan. However, only 80% of eruptions may produce a detectable change in radar backscatter based on our examination of 24 basaltic terrestrial lava flows from 2014 to 2023 from the ESA Sentinel‐1a/b satellites. From observed Earth basaltic flows, thickness will rarely be measured on Venus due to low vertical accuracy. If VenSAR images 20%–40% of the most active volcanoes (as planned), it could detect 79%–92% of the flux if the Eruption Magnitude–frequency distribution is similar to Earth and Io. A few eruptions could then be extrapolated to a global flux, but this is dependent on quantifying the largest eruption, so targeting the right volcanoes is critical.
Lava Tube System Development Defined by Multispectral Imaging and InSAR: The Case of the 2024 Eruption of Fernandina Volcano (Galápagos) Alexis Hrysiewicz, Peter C. LaFemina, Andrew Bell, Federico Galetto, Silvia Vallejo, Benjamin Bernard, Eoghan P. Holohan Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth, 2025 Lava tubes are subsurface conduits within a lava flow that feed its advance. Lava tube detection is important to understand lava flow dynamics and to mitigate geohazards. Here we use InSAR‐derived surface motion data, in combination with shortwave and thermal infrared imagery, to delineate a ∼14 km long lava tube system at Fernandina volcano, Galápagos, in 2024. The lava tubes developed during a 68‐day long eruption of basaltic lava. Individual branches of the lava tube system were mapped through a combination of: (a) spatio‐temporally stable, point‐like thermal anomalies (“skylights”) in syn‐eruption multispectral imagery; and (b) opposed, subsidence‐related, horizontal displacements defined by post‐eruption InSAR timeseries analysis. Recently elongated perpendicular baselines of the Sentinel‐1A satellite enabled estimation by InSAR of lava‐flow thickness and a lava‐field bulk volume of ∼84 ± 40 × 10 6 m 3 . Open‐channel flow transitioned to enclosed tube flow within the first 2 weeks of the eruption, once initial eruption rates of ∼7.5 × 10 6 m 3 DRE of magma per day (87 m 3 s −1 ) declined rapidly and non‐linearly to below ∼0.5 × 10 6 m 3 per day (6 m 3 s −1 ). The tube‐flow phase accounted for only 18% of the total erupted volume, but it facilitated 35% (5 km) of the total lava run‐out. Consistent with traditional field‐based observations, the remote sensing data sets illustrate the thermal efficiency of lava tube transport and its key role in the construction of shield volcanoes. Our findings also highlight the potential for multi‐sensor remote sensing approaches to inform future modeling of lava tube systems and lava flow run‐out.
The Application of Remote Sensing Data (SAR, Thermal and Optical) and Geodetic Modeling to Investigate the Volcanic Activity at Semeru Volcano (Indonesia) Federico Galetto, Diego Reale, Diego Coppola, Eugenio Sansosti, Matthew E. Pritchard Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth, 2025 Semeru (Indonesia) is a persistent eruptive volcano, but its volcanic activity remains poorly constrained. Here we used a combination of different remote sensing data to improve the understanding of Semeru. By differencing high resolution (2m) Digital Elevation Models (DEM) derived from optical data (EarthDEMs), we estimated a bulk volume of ∼43.5 × 106 m3 of lavas erupted from 2014 to 2020. Thermal data from MIROVA show multiple peaks in the volcanic radiative power and in the cumulative Volcanic Radiant Energy (VRE) related with lava flow extrusions. Time series of deformation, obtained with Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) from Sentinel‐1 data, show on both orbits negative line‐of‐sight displacements of the SE flank from 2014 to 2023. The observed displacements can be related to surface processes or to a limited (≤1 × 106 m3) deflation of a shallow (<2 km) reservoir, modeled with a Boundary Element Method. We used the volume estimated by EarthDEMs to calibrate the VRE and to calculate the erupted volume of lava from VRE for periods not covered by EarthDEM, allowing in the future the near‐real‐time estimation of volumes from MIROVA data. Erupted volumes of lava over the time reveal a steady state activity. Our data suggest that the persistent volcanic activity at Semeru is fed by deep portions of the magmatic system, while the possible shallow reservoir is a hydrothermal or an ephemeral magma reservoir. This study highlights the importance of using different remote sensing data to monitor, quantify, and interpret the volcanic activity in poorly monitored and studied volcanoes.
Sierra Negra, Galápagos: A resurgent-block basaltic caldera V. Acocella, F. Galetto, F. Amelung, S. Aguaiza Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 2025 Caldera resurgence is rare at mafic volcanoes. Here we consider the well-exposed resurgence at Sierra Negra caldera (Galápagos) to investigate how resurgence develops at a mafic system. Based on topographic and field analysis, the structure of the resurgence consists of an eastward-tilted block bounded by a fault-propagation fold activated by a steep inward-dipping reverse fault with dip decreasing toward the surface. Extension of the uplifted part of the reverse fault results from gravitational instability and is accommodated by horst-and-graben structures over a zone several hundred meters wide. Extension culminates in the main normal fault responsible for the inward tilt of the lava pile, forming a distinctive ridge. The resurgence results from spatially and temporally distinct unrest episodes, promoted by the shallow accumulation of large volumes of magma. Sierra Negra is the first documented example of piecemeal resurgence, as shown by the recent uplift episodes associated with eruptions in 2005 and 2018. The example of Sierra Negra suggests that the formation of resurgent blocks depends on the initial location of the feeding system, with non-centered feeding systems developing asymmetric (trapdoor) blocks. Finally, Sierra Negra demonstrates that mafic volcanoes without well-developed rift zones may promote resurgence when reaching a mature stage with significant amounts of cumulates, favoring shallow magma accumulation.
The utility of TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, and PAZ for studying volcanic activity: Successes, challenges, and future prospects Federico Galetto, Edna Dualeh, Francisco Delgado, Matthew Pritchard, Michael Poland, Susanna Ebmeier, Tara Shreve, Juliet Biggs, Ian Hamling, Christelle Wauthier, Judit Gonzalez Santana, Jean-Luc Froger, Mark Bemelmans Volcanica, 2024 TerraSAR-X (TSX), TanDEM-X (TDX), and PAZ Synthetic Aperture Radar data have been used at over 120 volcanoes to assess surface characteristics and change over time. We examine previous work, adding additional examples to understand where and when these data are most useful for volcanology. We focus on volcanoes as part of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) Volcano Demonstrator Project. TSX/TDX/PAZ data provide a valuable means of detecting small surface changes from amplitude images and topographic changes from bistatic TSX/TDX data. For short temporal and perpendicular baselines, TDX/TSX/PAZ can also provide useful deformation data, even in presence of vegetation. No global background mission currently acquires TSX/TDX/PAZ data at volcanoes: 70 % high spatial resolution data, limiting their suitability for studying pre-eruptive unrest. Coordinated targeting by SAR constellations of priority volcanoes would provide data and insights valuable for forecasting eruptions and associated hazards.
Advances in volcano monitoring driven by the first decade of Sentinel-1 observations J Biggs, N Anantrasirichai, KR Anderson, V Cayol, EW Dualeh, Q Dumont, ... Remote Sensing of Environment 339, 115377 , 2026 2026 Citations: 2
Evaluating steady-state volcanism in Iceland, La Réunion, Hawaiʻi and western Galápagos: connections with volcanic hazards and future perspectives F Galetto, B Asfora, ME Pritchard Volcanica 9 (1), 101-121 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Thermal unrest in not recently erupting volcanoes detected with remote sensing thermal data (ASTER and Landsat) M Silvestri, F Galetto, MF Buongiorno EGU26 , 2026 2026
High-resolution remote sensing data to measure topographic changes in volcanoes: successes, challenges and future perspectives F Galetto, SM Miller, R Barris, DL Lillo, A Shevchenko, M Pritchard EGU26 , 2026 2026
Surface deformation and volcanic activity at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) over the last 5000 years E Trasatti, A Astort, M Polcar, P De Martino, L Caricchi, JG Clark, ... EGU26 , 2026 2026
The geometry and development of a lava tube network as deduced from multispectral imaging and InSAR E Holohan, A Hrysiewicz, P LaFemina, A Bell, F Galetto, S Vallejo, ... EGU26 , 2026 2026
Global Applications of Volcano Geodesy I Oral DS Stamps, EK Montgomery-Brown, C Wauthier, F Sigmundsson, ... AGU25 , 2025 2025
Quantifying the eruptive flux on Venus with VenSAR informed by observations from Earth and Io E Eiden, ME Pritchard, F Galetto, PK Byrne, I Ganesh, R Herrick, ... Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 130 (12), e2025JE009435 , 2025 2025
Lava tube system development defined by multispectral imaging and InSAR: The case of the 2024 eruption of fernandina volcano (Galápagos) A Hrysiewicz, PC LaFemina, A Bell, F Galetto, S Vallejo, B Bernard, ... Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 130 (11), e2025JB032265 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
The application of remote sensing data (SAR, thermal and optical) and geodetic modelling to investigate the volcanic activity at Semeru volcano (Indonesia). F Galetto, D Reale, D Coppola, E Sansosti, ME Pritchard Authorea Preprints , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
The application of remote sensing data (SAR, thermal and optical) and geodetic modeling to investigate the volcanic activity at Semeru Volcano (Indonesia) F Galetto, D Reale, D Coppola, E Sansosti, ME Pritchard Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 130 (9), e2025JB031428 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
The application of high resolution EarthDEM and ArcticDEM digital elevation models to detect and quantify volcanic activity: Successes and challenges F Galetto, SM Miller, R Barris, AV Shevchenko, ME Pritchard Bulletin of Volcanology 87 (7), 53 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
Sierra Negra, Galápagos: A resurgent-block basaltic caldera V Acocella, F Galetto, F Amelung, S Aguaiza Geological Society of America Bulletin 137 (3-4), 1703-1716 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Rapid Advances in Volcano Monitoring Driven by the First Decade of Sentinel-1 Observations J Biggs, N Anantrasirichai, K Anderson, V Cayol, E Dualeh, Q Dumont, ... Available at SSRN 5196731 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Understanding Volcanic and Volcanotectonic Processes VI Oral F Galetto, H Le Mével, L Paul, MP Poland, T Mittal AGU24 , 2024 2024
The use of high-resolution satellite topographic data to quantify volcanic activity at Raung volcano (Indonesia) from 2000 to 2021 F Galetto, D Lobos Lillo, ME Pritchard Bulletin of Volcanology 87 (1), 1 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Comparing Satellite DEMS, SAR, and Optical Imagery to Quantify the Eruptive Flux of Lewotolok Volcano's (Indonesia) Recent Eruption (11/2020-Present) S Lee, E Eiden, F Galetto, ME Pritchard AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2024 (3342), G31B-3342 , 2024 2024
Quantifying volcanism on Venus with VenSAR: Comparison with Earth and Suggestions for Targeted Observations E Eiden, ME Pritchard, F Galetto, PJ Mason, CL Johnson AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2024 (3121), P13F-3121 , 2024 2024
The Application of High Resolution (2m) EarthDEM and ArcticDEM Digital Elevation Models to Detect and Quantify Volcanic Activity: Successes and Challenges S Miller, F Galetto, ME Pritchard, E Eiden AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2024 (3514), G43A-3514 , 2024 2024
The Continuous Volcanic Activity at Semeru Volcano (Indonesia) from 2014 to 2023 Investigated with Remote Sensing Data (SAR, Thermal and Optical). F Galetto, D Reale, E Sansosti, D Coppola, ME Pritchard, ... AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2024 (3515), G43A-3515 , 2024 2024
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Caldera resurgence driven by magma viscosity contrasts F Galetto, V Acocella, L Caricchi Nature Communications 8 (1), 1750 , 2017 2017 Citations: 66
Towards scientific forecasting of magmatic eruptions V Acocella, M Ripepe, E Rivalta, A Peltier, F Galetto, E Joseph Nature Reviews Earth & Environment 5 (1), 5-22 , 2024 2024 Citations: 63
Noneruptive unrest at the Caldera of Alcedo Volcano (Galápagos Islands) revealed by InSAR data and geodetic modeling F Galetto, M Bagnardi, V Acocella, A Hooper Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 124 (4), 3365-3381 , 2019 2019 Citations: 38
Spatial and temporal quantification of subaerial volcanism from 1980 to 2019: Solid products, masses, and average eruptive rates F Galetto, ME Pritchard, AJ Hornby, E Gazel, NM Mahowald Reviews of Geophysics 61 (1), e2022RG000783 , 2023 2023 Citations: 36
The 2008 eruptive unrest at Cerro Azul volcano (Galápagos) revealed by InSAR data and a novel method for geodetic modelling F Galetto, A Hooper, M Bagnardi, V Acocella Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 125 (2), e2019JB018521 , 2020 2020 Citations: 24
Eruption at basaltic calderas forecast by magma flow rate F Galetto, V Acocella, A Hooper, M Bagnardi Nature Geoscience 15 (7), 580-584 , 2022 2022 Citations: 22
Implications for shallow magma transfer during the 2017 and 2018 eruptions at Fernandina (Galápagos) inferred from InSAR data F Galetto, D Reale, E Sansosti, V Acocella Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 128 (6), e2022JB026174 , 2023 2023 Citations: 17
Relating dike geometry and injection rate in analogue flux-driven experiments F Galetto, A Bonaccorso, V Acocella Frontiers in Earth Science 9, 665865 , 2021 2021 Citations: 13
Sierra Negra, Galápagos: A resurgent-block basaltic caldera V Acocella, F Galetto, F Amelung, S Aguaiza Geological Society of America Bulletin 137 (3-4), 1703-1716 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
The use of high-resolution satellite topographic data to quantify volcanic activity at Raung volcano (Indonesia) from 2000 to 2021 F Galetto, D Lobos Lillo, ME Pritchard Bulletin of Volcanology 87 (1), 1 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Complex paths of magma propagation at Fernandina (Galápagos): The coexistence of circumferential and radial dike intrusion during the January 2020 eruption F Galetto Bulletin of Volcanology 85 (12), 71 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
The application of high resolution EarthDEM and ArcticDEM digital elevation models to detect and quantify volcanic activity: Successes and challenges F Galetto, SM Miller, R Barris, AV Shevchenko, ME Pritchard Bulletin of Volcanology 87 (7), 53 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
The utility of TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, and PAZ for studying global volcanic activity: Successes, challenges, and future prospects F Galetto, E Dualeh, F Delgado, M Pritchard, M Poland, S Ebmeier, ... Volcanica 7 (1), 273-301 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
The application of remote sensing data (SAR, thermal and optical) and geodetic modeling to investigate the volcanic activity at Semeru Volcano (Indonesia) F Galetto, D Reale, D Coppola, E Sansosti, ME Pritchard Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 130 (9), e2025JB031428 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
The use of high-resolution satellite topographic data to quantify volcanic activity at Raung volcano (Indonesia) from 2011 to 2021 F Galetto, DL Lillo, M Pritchard 2024 Citations: 3
Advances in volcano monitoring driven by the first decade of Sentinel-1 observations J Biggs, N Anantrasirichai, KR Anderson, V Cayol, EW Dualeh, Q Dumont, ... Remote Sensing of Environment 339, 115377 , 2026 2026 Citations: 2
Lava tube system development defined by multispectral imaging and InSAR: The case of the 2024 eruption of fernandina volcano (Galápagos) A Hrysiewicz, PC LaFemina, A Bell, F Galetto, S Vallejo, B Bernard, ... Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 130 (11), e2025JB032265 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
The application of remote sensing data (SAR, thermal and optical) and geodetic modelling to investigate the volcanic activity at Semeru volcano (Indonesia). F Galetto, D Reale, D Coppola, E Sansosti, ME Pritchard Authorea Preprints , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Rapid Advances in Volcano Monitoring Driven by the First Decade of Sentinel-1 Observations J Biggs, N Anantrasirichai, K Anderson, V Cayol, E Dualeh, Q Dumont, ... Available at SSRN 5196731 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Aiming the firehose of data at the fire: Optimizing international satellite SAR observations for volcano hazards with the CEOS volcano demonstrator project ME Pritchard, SK Ebmeier, MP Poland, F Albino, J Biggs, F Delgado, ... AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2022, G46A-01 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
