A Robotic System for Volcano Exploration

Abstract

The main innovation of this project is the capability to take measurements during volcanic eruptions by the development of a specific mobile robotic system for this purpose. This robot will have a relevant impact on the mitigation of the volcanic risk both in general, since it contributes to improve knowledge about volcanic phenomena, and in particular because it is now integrated in the volcanic surveillance system to be used when the approach to active vents becomes too dangerous for human live, but information is vital for a correct forecast of dangerous eruptions. For instance, during the volcano unrest that precede a large eruption when the gas emission, thermal variation and ground deformation inside a crater or caldera, related to the ascent of new magma, give a direct information for forecasting of the approaching eruptive event; or during long-lived volcanic eruptions like large dome inflation the evaluation of the lava dome stability will significantly improve the forecasting of dome failures and pyroclastic-flow forming eruptions. The robot activity will contribute to an integrated risk management system by means of the updating, using GIS, of areas potentially threatened by catastrophic eruptions with geographical information about the volcanic products dispersion and volcanic hazard assessments to obtain an almost real-time early warning and to inform Civil Protection authorities about dangerous volcanic eruptions approaching. The missions demonstrated the usefulness of a mobile robot in contributing to science research for volcanology. the system is now a new tool own by Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia in Sicily who are responsible for surveillance of Mt. Etna and the other Sicilian volcanoes in the Aeolian islands. The Robovolc system is ready to be used in the next active volcanic phases. 516