Drone technology developed at the University of Wellington has enabled significant advances in our understanding of one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Volcanologist Dr Ian Schipper from the Victoria University of Wellington has just returned from an expedition with a group of international scientists and his special drone’s to analyse volcanic gases from the plume of Papua New Guinea’s remote and unstable Bagana volcano.
The drones are mounted with instruments and hardened to cope with toxic gases, which means that they can get closer than ever before, and are able to capture samples before they are dispersed in the atmosphere.
The drones were developed and tested on White Island , with funding awarded to Dr Schipper by EQC’s Biennial Grant in 2018.