Experts currently have no way to predict when a volcano is about to blow, using only previous data and seismic activity to provide an estimation of any future eruptions.
However, British scientists have created ‘Dragon Eggs’ – ultra-heat resistant sensors which are dropped into a volcano using drones and provide valuable real-time data on volcanic activity.
The machines are equipped with a range of state-of-the-art sensors for temperature, humidity, vibrations, and numerous toxic gases which could ultimately save millions of lives.
Prof Tom Scott, from the University of Bristol, said: “For some volcanoes, it is simply too dangerous for a human approach.
“Such extreme, hazardous and unpredictable environments present a very difficult challenge to reliably record volcanic behaviour for analytical models.
“A significant challenge is optimising the design to meet many different criteria.
“They must be able to operate in the extreme conditions of a volcano, be light enough to be carried by a drone, and be ultra-efficient in power consumption since maintenance is not an option at the summit of an active volcano.”
The dragon eggs are technically on standby when they are dropped into a volcano, as to not waste energy.
However, when they sense a sudden, unexpected rise in temperature or vibrations, the machines ‘hatch’ and release a remote monitoring station with a wireless transmitter.
Physics research associate Dr Yannick Verbelen said: “It is the first time an autonomous system using zero-power listening technology has been deployed in this kind of hostile environment.
“We are pushing the limits of the sensor-driven low-power monitoring in this application, but that’s what research is all about.”
As humans will not be able to get near to a vent of a volcano, the small machines will be delivered by flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – otherwise known as drones.
Dr Kieran Wood, senior research associate and UAV specialist in aerospace engineering, said: “This is an exemplary application for using drones.
“Approaching volcanoes is hazardous and logistically challenging.
“UAVs can efficiently place sensors at long-range to minimise risk and improve the efficiency of data collection.”