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| http://www.robovolc.dees.unict.it/download/files/Clawar2001.pdf |
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| http://www.felicitytravel.eu/en/italy/excursions/tour-scl3-etna-giro-e-alcantara.html |
Robots can be used to perform many interesting tasks. They can go places that humans might not be able to. Volcanoes would be a dangerous place for people to explore, but robots are able to trek across rocky terrain, down into craters, and even while the volcano is erupting in order to bring back information important to the study of volcanoes. A lot of valuable information can be obtained during the most dangerous phase of eruptions, the paroxismal phase.
An example of a volcano-exploring robot that has been used to gather information from the Etna volcano in Italy is a robot called ROBOVOLC. In the picture above the Etna volcano can been seen in action. This robot was first used experimentally in March 2000, so this branch of robotics is relatively new and has not been fully explored. The ROBOVOLC, pictured above has eight sensors for collecting information about the volcanoes it explores:
- Thermometer for the temperature of the air
- Thermometer for the temperature of the ground
- Humidity sensor - to measure how much water is in the air
- Dual axis acceleration measurement system - to measure the incline of the ground
- GPS sensor - so scientist always know exactly where the robot is, even if they can’t see it
- Displacement sensors - to measure how far the robot has traveled
- Ambient pressure transducers - to measure the pressure of the gases surrounding the robot
- A web-cam - so scientists can see what the robot sees
The next question is, why do we want to obtain data to study the inside of a volcano? The main reason for sending robots into volcanoes is to gain a further understanding of how volcanoes work. The more we learn about volcanoes will allow us to improve our understanding of the risk a specific volcano maybe. The data and observations volcano robots, such as the ROBOVOLC obtain help produce more accurate eruption forecasting. More precise forecasting essentially saves lives in the long run.
Posted by Alex Culbert and Emma Dake
SOURCES:
Muscato, G. (2001). Further progress in the development of the ROBOVOLC system. Informally published manuscript, DEES, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy. Retrieved from http://www.robovolc.dees.unict.it/download/files/Clawar2001.pdf
Very interesting information. Another purpose is just to increase our understanding of Earth and the processes that are here. There are a lot of questions we don't have answers to and others we have postulated about but don't have enough data on. In 1991 two world-famous volcanologists, Katia and Maurice Krafft (a married couple)along with 14 other people were killed by a pyroclastic flow while studying an eruption of Mount Unzen in Japan. It is much better to have a robot destroyed than people killed.
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