Researchers are using drone-mounted laser sensors to monitor volcanic gas emissions, a method designed to improve eruption prediction while keeping personnel out of hazardous zones. By bouncing laser beams off drones hovering near crater plumes, scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Mainz are generating maps of gas concentrations in near real-time.
Laser-Based Gas Detection at Vulcano
On the Italian island of Vulcano, researchers are refining a remote sensing technique that removes the need for ground-based sensors to enter dangerous plumes. According to Marius Schaab of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the system works by transmitting an invisible laser beam from a tripod-mounted sensor toward a reflector on a drone. The beam passes through volcanic gases, and the sensor measures the change in light intensity to determine gas concentration.
This process allows the measuring equipment to remain at a safe distance while the drone executes a pre-programmed flight path. The resulting data is processed by an algorithm that generates a concentration map in approximately 10 to 15 minutes. This approach provides an update to volcano monitoring, which has relied on drone-based observation for about 15 years.
Did you know?
The Grand Crater on the island of Vulcano has not erupted since the late 19th century, yet it remains a site for scientific study due to its persistent and intense degassing activity.
Expanding Sensor Capabilities with Drone Technology
While the TUM team focuses on laser-based light intensity measurements, other researchers are simultaneously diversifying the types of data collected via aerial platforms. Scientists from the University of Mainz are currently utilizing drones equipped with sensors to measure concentrations of chemical substances directly within the volcanic air. These dual approaches—using both remote laser reflection and direct atmospheric sampling—aim to increase the accuracy of volcanic risk assessments.
Improving Safety in Volcanic Monitoring
The primary driver for these technological advancements is the reduction of human risk. By utilizing drones to navigate the 60-meter range required for these measurements, researchers minimize their exposure to toxic emissions and unstable terrain. As sensor technology becomes more compact and precise, the ability to monitor volcanoes like those in the Aeolian Islands is expected to become more standardized, providing more reliable data for long-term geological tracking.
When evaluating volcanic activity, look for data on “degassing intensity.” Persistent changes in the chemical composition of these gases often serve as the first warning signs of internal pressure shifts within a volcanic system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are drones used instead of ground-based sensors?
Drones allow researchers to collect data directly from gas plumes without placing personnel in high-risk zones, according to reports from the research teams on Vulcano.
How does the laser sensor measure gas?
The sensor sends a laser beam through the volcanic plume to a reflector on the drone; the sensor then measures the intensity of the light returning to calculate gas concentration, as explained by Marius Schaab of TUM.
How long does it take to map a crater’s gas concentration?
Using the current drone-based algorithm, researchers can generate a map of gas concentration in approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
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