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GET
/
imagery
/
visible
/
query
Query visible imagery data
curl --request GET \
  --url https://avert-legacy.ldeo.columbia.edu/api/imagery/visible/query
[
  {
    "id": 269014,
    "image_id": "311240.CLNE.2024.152_000004-0000",
    "site": "CLNE",
    "vnum": 311240,
    "timestamp": "2024-05-31T00:00:01",
    "file_format": "jpg",
    "url": "/data/vulcand/archive/imagery/visible/311240/2024/CLNE/still/152/311240.CLNE.2024.152_000004-0000.jpg",
    "frame": 0,
    "quality": 0
  }
]

​
Overview

This endpoint allows you to search for visible images captured by cameras directed towards target volcanoes. You can filter results by site, volcano number, and time range.

​
Usage Examples

​
Basic Query

Search for all visible images from a specific site and volcano: 
import requests

response = requests.get(
    "https://avert-legacy.ldeo.columbia.edu/api/imagery/visible/query",
    params={
        "site": "CLNE",
        "vnum": 311240
    }
)
images = response.json()

​
Time-Range Query

Search for visible images within a specific time range: 
import requests

response = requests.get(
    "https://avert-legacy.ldeo.columbia.edu/api/imagery/visible/query",
    params={
        "site": "CLNE",
        "vnum": 311240,
        "search_from": "2022-10-01T00:00",
        "search_to": "2022-10-02T00:00"
    }
)
images = response.json()

​
Download as Zip

Download results as a zip file instead of JSON metadata (works only for ≤ 100 results): 
import requests

response = requests.get(
    "https://avert-legacy.ldeo.columbia.edu/api/imagery/visible/query",
    params={
        "site": "CLNE",
        "vnum": 311240,
        "search_from": "2022-10-01T00:00",
        "search_to": "2022-10-02T00:00",
        "download": True
    }
)
# Response will be a zip file containing images (not JSON)
with open("visible_images.zip", "wb") as f:
    f.write(response.content)

​
Notes

  • Default behavior: Returns JSON metadata about images matching your criteria
  • Large result sets: Queries without time ranges can return thousands of results
  • With download=true: Returns a zip file containing the actual image files (≤100 results only)
  • Time parameters should be in ISO 8601 format

​
Playground Testing Tips

The playground is pre-configured with optimal defaults that return ~10 results:
  • Default time range: 2024-05-30 12:00 to 2024-05-30 14:00 (2-hour midday window)
  • Expected results: ~11 visible images
  • Response size: Manageable JSON that displays properly

​
Quick Test

1

Click Try It

Click the green Try It button above
2

Check required fields

Required fields are already filled: site=CLNE, vnum=311240
3

Verify time range

Time range defaults are set for optimal testing
4

Send request

Click “Send” - you’ll see clean JSON with ~10 results!
Leaving time fields empty returns 70K+ results that may overwhelm the playground.

​
Troubleshooting Playground Issues

The playground may have limitations with JSON display, but the AVERT API itself works perfectly. For reliable testing, we recommend using the testing alternatives which provide a much better experience.

Query Parameters

​
site
string
required

Site identifier (e.g., CLNE)

Example:

"CLNE"

​
vnum
integer
required

Volcano number identifier

Example:

311240

​
search_from
string<date-time>
default:2024-05-30T12:00

Start time for search (ISO 8601 format). Playground defaults to a 2-hour window with ~10 results.

Example:

"2024-05-30T12:00"

​
search_to
string<date-time>
default:2024-05-30T14:00

End time for search (ISO 8601 format). Use short time ranges for manageable results.

Example:

"2024-05-30T14:00"

​
limit
integer

Maximum number of results to return

Example:

10

​
download
boolean
default:false

Download images as zip file instead of returning JSON metadata (only works for <= 100 results)

Response

List of visible images matching the search criteria

​
id
integer
required

Database ID of the image record

Example:

269011

​
image_id
string
required

Unique identifier for the image file

Example:

"311240.CLNE.2024.152_000001-0000"

​
site
string
required

Site identifier

Example:

"CLNE"

​
vnum
integer
required

Volcano number identifier

Example:

311240

​
timestamp
string<date-time>
required

When the image was captured

Example:

"2024-05-31T00:00:01"

​
file_format
string
required

Image file format

Example:

"jpg"

​
url
string
required

Relative path to the image file

Example:

"/data/vulcand/archive/imagery/visible/311240/2024/CLNE/still/152/311240.CLNE.2024.152_000001-0000.jpg"

​
frame
integer

Frame number for video sequences

Example:

0

​
quality
integer

Image quality indicator

Example:

0