During the World Volcanology Conference held in Geneva last July, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) presented the results of five years of close-up observations of Stromboli's eruptions.
In particular, Over the past three years, researchers have been using SKATE (Setup for the Kinematic Acquisition of Explosive Eruptions), a portable observatory the size of a suitcase, equipped with technologies capable of capturing hundreds of frames per second and synchronously recording the heat, sound and movement of the observed phenomenon.
SKATE significantly revolutionizes the observation of complex and dangerous explosive eruptions, making the process safer.The device autonomously records synchronized streams of data, minimizing the time researchers have to spend on the volcano's slopes.
The system, powered by replaceable batteries and solar panels, It integrates a waterproof PC that coordinates a thermal imaging camera capable of recording 32 frames per second and a high-speed camera which activates filming when it detects sudden temperature spikes, in order not to saturate the total memory of 6 terabytes.
Thanks to the data collected, it is possible to more accurately assess the impact of eruptions on people, infrastructure, and the surrounding environment. SKATE has also been tested on Mount Etna and the Fuego and Santiaguito volcanoes in Guatemala, and will soon be used to monitor other sites, including Mount Yasur in Vanuatu, known as the "Lighthouse of the Pacific" for its nearly continuous eruptions of lava and incandescent gases.
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Fig - A researcher uses SKATE to monitor a volcano. Photo by Piergiorgio Scarlato and Jacopo Taddeucci.