Understanding volcanic eruptions with thermal imaging

Description of impact

"Led by Professor John Howell, a team of scientists from the Universities of Aberdeen and Oslo are using a combination of drone and thermal imaging technologies to develop a new, low-cost monitoring system that can be applied anywhere in the world.

To test this new methodology, the team flew drones over Stromboli, Europe’s most active volcano, which lies in the Mediterranean off the southern tip of Italy. Stromboli provided an ideal testing ground because it is covered with an advanced network of monitoring equipment which can be used to calibrate results of the new methodologies. Stromboli has minor eruptions several times every hour, with large eruptions occurring approximately every ten years - the most recent on July 3rd 2019."

Project summary and aims

Around the world, 500 million people live within the shadow of active volcanoes. Predicting the timing of volcanic eruptions is very difficult, but their impact on the local communities can be catastrophic.

Outcomes to Date / Future Developments

Impact status	Impact Completed (Open)
Impact date	2018