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US researchers use drones to collect critical gases from La Palma volcano

la palma volcano drones

An interdisciplinary research team from the University of New Mexico (UNM) has become one of the first in the world to sample uncontaminated gases from an active volcanic eruption. The data – a treasure trove that can help to predict when a volcano will erupt – were collected during the recent spewing of the Cumbre Vieja volcano at La Palma in Spain’s Canary Islands.

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Drone captures lava from Spain’s La Palma volcano crashing into ocean

la palma volcano ocean

Spain’s La Palma island is expanding. As the red-hot lava from the volcano that erupted on the island on September 19 reached the Atlantic Ocean this week, it triggered plumes of white steam. The molten rock cooled rapidly on coming into contact with the water, binding itself to the cliffside, enlarging the island’s territory. A drone captured the historic moment.

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Update: La Palma volcano consumes more homes; see live feed, drone videos

La Palma volcano

As a volcano on La Palma, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, continues to spit out lava and ash for the fifth day, thousands more have been forced to flee. The volcano first erupted on Sunday around 3:15 p.m. local time. Since then, a continuous stream of black lava has been advancing slowly westward, destroying everything in its path. Live cam and drone footage from the region show the extent of the damage.

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Watch dramatic footage of drones saving swimmers in distress

drones saving swimmers

When it comes to rescuing a panicking swimmer, every second counts. Lifeguards mentally urge victims to “hang on” as they rush through the heavy waters toward them. In such a scenario, if a drone flies above the distressed swimmer and drops a flotation device, it offers more than just hope for the victim to hold onto. This is exactly what Spain’s eastern coast has been witnessing these past few days.

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Autonomous drones to fight wildfires tested in Spain

Autonomous drones to fight wildfires tested in Spain

In Spain, researchers from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid work together with telecommunications corporation Telefonica, drone start-up Divisek Systems and drone operations company Dronitec to test the use of autonomous drones to fight wildfires. The drones to fight wildfires are part of a firefighting system that consists of a number of communication towers. Each of the towers is outfitted with a thermal camera and an autonomous drone that is stored in a special hangar.


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