How drones are on the frontline of tackling volcano eruption threat

Scientists in Iceland are turning to new technologies to help them predict the next major volcanic eruption there. Katla is one of the country’s most active and dangerous volcanoes, covered by the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Researchers are watching it very closely because it has the potential to be more damaging than the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which brought Europe to a standstill in 2010. DJI drone pilot Ferdinand Wolf said drones can monitor seismic activity by capturing footage and collecting data in areas that are difficult to reach.

We take the data from all of these and analyse it together and provide information on the status of volcanoes.

University of Iceland geophysicist and coordinator of FutureVolc, Dr Freysteinn Sigmundsson

As well as using drones to keep an eye on the Earth’s movements, scientists are also using advanced sensors and GPS tracking to see whether magma is accumulating. A team from the University of Iceland took us to another of the country’s most active regions, Reykjanes Peninsula, where they regularly check on the monitoring station set up there - one of many across the country. Airlines are also embracing technology to make sure the 2010 volcanic crisis is not repeated. Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokul eruption, otherwise known as E-15, cost them an estimated €150 million (£110.4m) a day during the disruption. The ash cloud shut European airspace and left more than 10 million people stranded.

This pioneering innovation will help the aviation industry to avoid further disruption in European airspace from future volcanic activity by giving airlines the ability to safely navigate around ash clouds.

EasyJet’s engineering director, Ian Davies

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