Gas emissions are a manifestation of activity occurring below the surface of a volcano, and measuring them provides valuable information that cannot be observed from the surface. This information is critical for monitoring hazards and predicting future explosions. SO ultraviolet cameras since the mid-2000s ₂ become key tools for measuring emissions

However, these measurement campaigns require the presence of the user who made the SO cameras. ₂ not suitable for obtaining long-term datasets. Additionally, the cost of building and operating this type of camera can be up to $20,000, resulting in very few cameras being permanently installed. To gain better long-term monitoring data, an international research team developed the SO camera ₂ for continuous measurement of emission level from volcanoes. They have now published an article on camera design and two initial datasets. Frontiers in Earth Sciences.

“Our device uses a sensor unlike smartphone camera sensors. It has been modified to make it sensitive to UV light, which allows SO to be detected.₂said Dr., a University of Sheffield researcher and lead author of the study. Thomas Wilks.

Less expensive and energy intensive

Research camera SO compared to previous models ₂ It is much cheaper and consumes less energy. The new design has a price tag of around $5,000, which cuts the cost of the parts needed to build the camera by about a quarter compared to previous models.

“We 3D-print parts as soon as possible to keep costs as low as possible,” Wilkes said. “We also offer a suitable, freely available software for controlling the device and reliable processing of the received data.” The affordability and ease of use make the camera accessible to more volcanologists who would otherwise not have access to datasets with accurate gas emissions.

In addition, the power consumption of the system is as low as 3.75 W on average. This is about half of what was required for the previously presented power systems. The researchers write that this would be particularly beneficial where there is little solar power to use. Its cameras run on fewer solar panels or batteries, further reducing the overall cost.

While there are other tools to measure volcanic emissions, SO ₂ If permanently installed, it could provide data with higher temporal and spatial resolution that could facilitate new volcanological studies,” Wilkes said.

Data from Chile and Hawaii

Wilks and his team also presented two preliminary datasets from Lascara, a stratovolcano in Chile, and Kilauea, a shield volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, whose cameras are constantly operating.

“So far, permanent SO cameras have been installed on only three volcanoes. _{2,” said Wilkes.} “Discrete field campaigns have been conducted, and while they are invaluable for a number of research questions, it is important to be able to measure volcanic activity continuously as it can vary significantly from minutes to decades, centuries and beyond.”

Although economical and easy to use, the researchers noted some limitations of SO cameras. ₂ “They depend on meteorological conditions and work best under clear blue skies when the volcanic gas plume is moving at a 90-degree angle to the camera’s direction of view,” Wilks said.