Researchers in Sicily are employing drones equipped with advanced laser sensors to monitor volcanic gas emissions on the island of Vulcano, located in the Aeolian archipelago off the coast of Sicily. The initiative aims to enhance the accuracy and safety of volcanic gas measurements, providing valuable data for eruption forecasting and atmospheric studies.

The project, led in part by German researchers including Marius Schaab from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), involves flying drones near the volcanic crater to collect gas concentration data. Using a laser sensor mounted on a tripod at the crater’s edge, the system emits an invisible laser beam that passes through volcanic gas plumes before reflecting off the drone and returning to the sensor. This method avoids exposing the sensor directly to the corrosive gases, which would otherwise require frequent recalibration.

The drone follows a predetermined flight path at distances up to 60 meters (nearly 200 feet) from the gas source, typically completing its mission within 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, an algorithm processes the returned laser signals to generate a detailed map of gas concentration around the crater. This trial represents the first time the TUM team has tested their drone laser system on a volcano, though the technology is capable of operating at altitudes up to 3,000 meters.

Meanwhile, a separate group of German scientists from the University of Mainz is utilizing drones outfitted with chemical sensors to measure the composition of airborne substances near the volcano. These efforts are conducted in collaboration with international researchers such as Tjarda Roberts from France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).

According to Roberts, monitoring volcanic gases serves two primary purposes: to better understand the impact of volcanic emissions on the atmosphere and to improve eruption prediction. Changes in gas composition often precede volcanic activity, as rising magma increases pressure and gas release within the volcano.

At the crater, a student operator from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Jonas Krajewski, oversees the drone named “Tina,” which weighs approximately 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds). Unlike the laser-equipped system hovering near the crater rim, Tina flies directly into fumaroles—the vents where volcanic gases and vapors escape—where temperatures can reach between 100 and 140 degrees Celsius. These flights last up to 40 minutes and follow carefully planned routes designed to collect comprehensive data while ensuring operational safety.

Although drones have been used in volcanic research for over a decade, these recent efforts represent a push towards more precise, flexible, and risk-averse measurement techniques. The data gathered from these missions on Vulcano contribute to ongoing scientific efforts to better understand volcanic behavior and to mitigate hazards associated with future eruptions.