> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.avert.ldeo.columbia.edu/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Query Visible Imagery
> Search for visible images based on site, volcano number, and optional time range
## 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:
```python theme={null}
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:
```python theme={null}
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):
```python theme={null}
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
Click the green Try It button above
Required fields are already filled: `site=CLNE`, `vnum=311240`
Time range defaults are set for optimal testing
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](/api-reference/imagery/playground-alternative) which provide a
much better experience.
## OpenAPI
````yaml GET /imagery/visible/query
openapi: 3.1.0
info:
title: AVERT Imagery API
description: >-
API for accessing infrared and visible imagery data from AVERT volcanic
monitoring systems
license:
name: MIT
version: 0.0.2
servers:
- url: https://avert-legacy.ldeo.columbia.edu/api
description: AVERT Production API
security: []
paths:
/imagery/visible/query:
get:
tags:
- Visible Imagery
summary: Query visible imagery data
description: >-
Search for visible images based on site, volcano number, and optional
time range. Returns JSON metadata by default.
parameters:
- name: site
in: query
required: true
description: Site identifier (e.g., CLNE)
schema:
type: string
example: CLNE
- name: vnum
in: query
required: true
description: Volcano number identifier
schema:
type: integer
example: 311240
- name: search_from
in: query
required: false
description: >-
Start time for search (ISO 8601 format). Playground defaults to a
2-hour window with ~10 results.
schema:
type: string
format: date-time
example: 2024-05-30T12:00
default: 2024-05-30T12:00
- name: search_to
in: query
required: false
description: >-
End time for search (ISO 8601 format). Use short time ranges for
manageable results.
schema:
type: string
format: date-time
example: 2024-05-30T14:00
default: 2024-05-30T14:00
- name: limit
in: query
required: false
description: Maximum number of results to return
schema:
type: integer
example: 10
- name: download
in: query
required: false
description: >-
Download images as zip file instead of returning JSON metadata (only
works for <= 100 results)
schema:
type: boolean
default: false
responses:
'200':
description: List of visible images matching the search criteria
content:
application/json:
schema:
type: array
items:
$ref: '#/components/schemas/ImageResult'
example:
- 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
'400':
description: Bad request - invalid parameters
content:
application/json:
schema:
type: array
items: {}
example: []
'404':
description: Not Found - The requested URL was not found on the server
content:
application/json:
schema:
type: object
properties:
detail:
type: string
description: Error message
status:
type: integer
description: HTTP status code
title:
type: string
description: Error title
type:
type: string
description: Error type
example:
detail: >-
The requested URL was not found on the server. If you entered
the URL manually please check your spelling and try again.
status: 404
title: Not Found
type: about:blank
components:
schemas:
ImageResult:
type: object
required:
- id
- image_id
- site
- vnum
- timestamp
- file_format
- url
properties:
id:
type: integer
description: Database ID of the image record
example: 269011
image_id:
type: string
description: Unique identifier for the image file
example: 311240.CLNE.2024.152_000001-0000
site:
type: string
description: Site identifier
example: CLNE
vnum:
type: integer
description: Volcano number identifier
example: 311240
timestamp:
type: string
format: date-time
description: When the image was captured
example: '2024-05-31T00:00:01'
file_format:
type: string
description: Image file format
example: jpg
url:
type: string
description: 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:
type: integer
description: Frame number for video sequences
example: 0
quality:
type: integer
description: Image quality indicator
example: 0
````