Matthew Watson

Matthew Watson is a Reader in Natural Hazards at the University of Bristol, UK. His research focuses on inversion of remotely-sensed data to retrieve physical parameters of volcanic plumes and clouds using ground- and satellite-based techniques including ultraviolet (DOAS) and thermal infrared (ASTER) gas spectroscopy, and visible, near infrared and thermal infrared aerosol retrievals (MODIS, AIRS).

His research interests encompass Volcanology, Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Science, Natural Hazards, and Geophysics. Current work includes investigation of SO₂ and SO₄^2- retrievals, generation of an aerosol forward model, atmospheric correction of ash retrievals, and spectrally independent calibration of SO₂ retrievals using TOMS, ASTER, MODIS and AIRS. He utilizes instruments such as Sun-photometers for aerosol analysis and specializes in volcanic gas and ash burden quantification.