New camera could make volcano monitoring cheaper and expand

A new ultraviolet imaging camera used to monitor sulfur dioxide (SO)_two) was presented by an international group of scientists as an inexpensive and low-energy alternative for continuous and long-term monitoring of volcanoes. The research results were published Monday (3) in the journal Frontiers in Earth Science.

Sulfur dioxide is a gas that can be detected and measured using ultraviolet imaging cameras. These cameras can detect UV light emitted by the operating system_two in the wavelength range between 300 and 320 nm in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Because the manifestation of volcanic activity occurring below the surface cannot be seen by outside observers, monitoring possible threats and predicting future eruptions becomes a vital activity facilitated by the use of ultraviolet cameras. But, currently the high cost of this equipment means most measurements are done in discrete field campaigns, it only provides snapshots of volcanic activity.

How does the new OS camera work?_two?

According to Thomas Wilkes of the University of Sheffield in England, lead author of the study, the new device uses a sensor similar to smartphone cameras. It was modified to sensitize it to ultraviolet light and allowed SO detection._two‘, he explained.

Compared to conventional ultraviolet cameras costing up to US$20,000 (R$101,000), the price of the equipment is now quoted It offers an average energy consumption equivalent to 3.75 Watts and is under US$5,000.about half of what is needed to power existing systems.

According to Wilkes, the team has also evolved, “software that is easy to use and available for free Controlling the instrument and robustly processing the obtained data”.