Adjoint modelling experiments on eruptive columns

This paper is concerned with data assimilation techniques applied to Plinian columns. A minimization problem, based on the Woods model and an objective function involving radius, temperature and velocity data, is written. After the differentiation of the computer code, sensitivity analyses and optimization experiments are performed. Numerical results show the interest of ground-based observations of the tropospheric part of the column for the identification of inflow conditions.