Development and field testing of UAV-based sampling devices for obtaining volcanic products

Abstract. The number of scientific studies that consider possible applications of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) for the management of natural hazards effects and the identification of occurred damages strongly increased in the last decade. Nowadays, in the scientific community, the use of these systems is not a novelty, but a deeper analysis of the literature shows a lack of codified complex methodologies that can be used not only for scientific experiments but also for normal codified emergency operations. RPASs can acquire on-demand ultra-high-resolution images that can be used for the identification of active processes such as landslides or volcanic activities but can also define the effects of earthquakes, wildfires and floods. In this paper, we present a review of published literature that describes experimental methodologies developed for the study and monitoring of natural hazards. IntroductionIn the last three decades, the number of natural disasters showed a positive trend with an increase in the number of affected populations. Disasters not only affected the poor and characteristically more vulnerable countries but also those thought to be better protected. The Annual Disaster Statistical Review describes recent impacts of natural disasters on the population and reports 342 naturally triggered disasters in 2016 (Guha-Sapir et al., 2017). This is less than the annual average disaster frequency observed from 2006 to 2015 (376.4 events). However, natural disasters are still responsible for a high number of casualties (8733 death). In the period 2006-2015, the average number of causalities caused annually by natural disasters is 69 827. In 2016, hydrological disasters (177) had the largest share in natural disaster occurrence (51.8 %), followed by meteorological disasters (96; 28.1 %), climatological disasters (38; 11.1 %) and geophysical disasters (31; 9.1 %) (Guha-Sapir et al., 2017). To face these disasters, one of the most important solutions is the use of systems able to provide an adequate level of information for correctly understanding these events and their evolution. In this context, surveying and monitoring natural hazards gained importance. In particular, during the emergency phase it is very important to evaluate and control the phenomenon of evolution, preferably operating in near real time or real time, and consequently, use this information for a better risk assessment scenario. The available acquired data must be processed rapidly to support the emergency services and decision makers.Recently, the use of remote sensing (satellite and airborne platform) in the field of natural hazards and disasters has become common, also supported by the increase in geospatial technologies and the ability to provide and process up-to-date imagery (Joyce et al., 2009;Tarolli, 2014). Remotely sensed data play an integral role in predicting hazard events such as floods and landslides, subsidence events and other ground instabilities. Because of their acquisition mode and capabilPublished by Copern...

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“…Protocols for direct sampling of volcanic products using an RPAS have also been developed (Yajima et al, 2014).…”

Section: Gas Monitoring and Product Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review article: the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) for natural hazards monitoring and management

Giordan

Hayakawa

Nex

et al. 2018

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

140

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“…Optical and thermal cameras transported on UAVs have been used for identifying meter to sub-meter topography changes and for the detection of thermal anomalies (Nakano et al, 2014;Thiele et al, 2017;Nakano et al, 2014;Müller et al, 2017;Amici et al, 2013;Di Felice et al 2018). In addition, specific payload sensors are being used for measuring volcanic gas fluxes (McGonigle et al, 2008;Liu et al 2019;de Moor et al, 2019), gas sampling (Mori et al, 2016;Rüdiger et al, 2018;Stix et al, 2018) and sediment sampling (Yajima et al, 2014). for collecting immediate and real-time aerial data in volcanic environments during and after an eruption is provided by Jordan (2019), highlighting its advantages for mapping, sample collection, thermal imaging, magnetic surveys, slope stability studies, and also as platforms for carrying outgassing measurement sensors.…”

Section: Application Of Uavs To Volcanic Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Very high-resolution terrain surveys of the Chã das Caldeiras lava fields (Fogo Island, Cape Verde)

Vieira

Mora

Pina³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Abstract. Fogo in the Cape Verde archipelago off Western Africa is one of the most prominent and active ocean island volcanoes on Earth, posing an important hazard to both local populations and at a regional level. The last eruption took place between 23 November 2014 and 8 February 2015 in the Chã das Caldeiras area at an elevation close to 1,800 m above sea level The eruptive episode gave origin to extensive lava flows that almost fully destroyed the settlements of Bangaeira, Portela and Ilhéu de Losna. In December 2016 a survey of the Chã das Caldeiras area was conducted using a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle and RTK GNSS, with the objective of improving the mapping accuracy derived from satellite platforms. The main result is an ultra-high resolution 3D point cloud with a Root Mean Square Error of 0.08 m in X, 0.11 m in Y and 0.12 m in Z, which provides unprecedented accuracy. The survey covers an area of 23.9 km2 and used 2909 calibrated images with an average ground sampling distance of 7.2 cm. A digital surface model and an orthomosaic with 25 cm resolution are provided, together with elevation contours with an equidistance of 50 cm and a 3D texture mesh for visualization purposes. The delineation of the 2014–15 lava flows shows an area of 4.53 km2 by lava, which is smaller but more accurate than the previous estimates from 4.8 to 4.97 km2. The difference in the calculated area, when compared to previously reported values, is due to a more detailed mapping of flow geometry and the exclusion of the areas corresponding to kīpukas. Our study provides an ultra high-resolution dataset of the areas affected by Fogo's latest eruption – crucial for local planning – and provides a case study to determine the advantages of ultra high-resolution UAV surveys in disaster-prone areas. The dataset is available for download at http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4035038 (Vieira et al., 2020).

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“…Figure shows how the device works. Details of the device are described in Yajima, Nagatani, and Yoshida ().…”

Section: Remote Soil‐sampling Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Micro‐unmanned aerial vehicle‐based volcano observation system for debris flow evacuation warning

Nagatani

Kiribayashi

Yajima

et al. 2018

Journal of Field Robotics

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When a volcano erupts, molten rocks, ash, pyroclastic flow, and debris flow can cause disasters. Debris flow is responsible for enormous damage across large areas. This makes debris flow simulations a crucial means of determining whether to issue an evacuation warning for area residents. For safety purposes, restricted areas are designated around volcanos during eruptions, making it difficult to gather information (such as the amount and permeability of ash) required for precise debris flow simulations. An unmanned observation system, intended for use in such restricted areas, was developed to address this issue. The proposed system is based on a multirotor micro-unmanned aerial vehicle (MUAV) that transports cameras, small devices to measure target environments, and a small robot to active volcanic areas.Several field tests were performed around active volcanoes for validation and system improvement. This study investigates five unmanned systems with field tests. The first one is an autonomous flight to collect three-dimensional (3D) terrain information. The MUAV conducted the long flight at Mt. Unzen-Fugen and evaluated the accuracy and calculation time of the developed 3D terrain model. The second one is a drop-down-type ash-depth measurement scale. The scales were deployed at Mt.Unzen-Fugen and confirmed its function. The third system is a soil-sampling device to estimate permeability. The device is hung from the MUAV by a long tether and collects soil and gravels directly with two rollers, while the MUAV is hovering. Indoor experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of the device, and field experiments were conducted to confirm the validation of the system in different volcanic environments. The fourth system is an unmanned surface flow measurement device to estimate permeability. The device carries a water balloon and breaks it when it lands on the ground. By observing water flow with mounted cameras, qualitative permeability can be estimated. Initial experiments were conducted at Mt.Unzen-Fugen to confirm its function. The fifth system is a small ground vehicle with a rainfall sensor deployed by an MUAV. The MUAV carries a capturing net suspended from it and delivers and retrieves the ground vehicle, while it is hovering. Field experiments were conducted at Mt. Asama and Mt. Unzen-Fugen to validate the J Field Robotics. 2018;35:1222-1241. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/rob 1222 |

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Development and field testing of UAV-based sampling devices for obtaining volcanic products

Cited by 10 publications

References 7 publications

Review article: the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) for natural hazards monitoring and management

Review article: the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) for natural hazards monitoring and management

Very high-resolution terrain surveys of the Chã das Caldeiras lava fields (Fogo Island, Cape Verde)

Micro‐unmanned aerial vehicle‐based volcano observation system for debris flow evacuation warning

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