Implementing unmanned aerial systems equipped with Sniffer4D payloads for volcanic gas detection and data analysis used for forecasting volcanic eruptions

Abstract

A consistent volcanic monitoring program is crucial to the safety of the population and
the efficiency of the nation. Costa Rica´s National Commission for Risk Prevention the
CNE helps manages this responsibility. Universidad Nacional Costa Rica the National
Observatory for Volcanoes OVSCORI-UNA and the Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory
LAQAT-UNA all have a strategic interest in monitoring and tracking volcanic activity. One
aspect of monitoring volcanoes is tracking the active emissions being released from the
craters and fumaroles. For this study the Sniffer4D gas detection payload was deployed
on an UAS and flown directly into the active West Crater of the Turrialba volcano in 2022
for readings of active emissions. The Turrialba volcano is located 40 km or 25 miles East
of San José the Capital city of Costa Rica where the majority of the population live. In
2017 an eruption column emerged 3,000 meters or 9,842.5 feet above the summit crater
of the Turrialba volcano and dispersed ash in the capital resulting in airport closures. So
monitoring the Turrialba volcano is of great importance to the country. The UAS system
deployed carried the Sniffer4D which tested for Temperature, Humidity and 9 additional
parameters - Sulfur Dioxide SO2 (µg/ m3), Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs (ppm),
Carbon Monoxide CO (mg/m3), Carbon Dioxide CO2 (%), Ozone O3(µg/ m3), Nitrogen
Dioxide NO2 (µg/ m3), O3+NO2 and Particulate Matter - PM 1.0, 2.5 & 10. Particulates –
also known as atmospheric aerosol particles, atmospheric particulate matter, particulate
matter (PM), or suspended particulate matter (SPM) – are microscopic particles of solid
or liquid matter suspended in the air. The term aerosol commonly refers to the
particulate/air mixture, as opposed to the particulate matter alone. The main objective
of launching this payload into the West Crater of Turrialba was completed by Ian Godfrey
in 2022