Volcano monitor
Drones help research eruptions in Sicily and reduce risk to humans
Based on the signals sent back to the sensor, an algorithm calculates a map of gas concentration in the 10 or 15 minutes it takes for the drone to follow a predefined path at a distance of up to 60 meters.
Although drones have been used in monitoring volcanoes for about 15 years, scientists are now looking to develop gas measurement tools that are increasingly accurate and risk-free.
Further around the crater, another team of scientists from the University of Mainz in Germany is using sensors carried on a drone to measure concentrations of chemical substances in the air.
A checklist in hand, Jonas Krajewski, a student at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, checks that "Tina" — the name given to the drone — is ready to fly safely.
Soon, the drone, weighing 2.5 kilograms, lifts into the air and heads toward the rising gases. This time, following a predefined flight path lasting up to 40 minutes, the drone flies into the heart of the fumaroles, or vents where the gases and vapor escape and where temperatures range between 100 and 140 C.
"Tina" is equipped with a series of sensors measuring gases, particles and halogens, elements like chlorine, bromine and others.
