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DJI Drones Make Breakthrough in Volcano Research

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DJI Drones Make Breakthrough in Volcano Research

Copters collected gas samples directly from Mount Etna’s crater to improve models of volcanic eruptions

DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, and the University of Mainz, Germany, have completed a ground-breaking mission for volcano research by collecting gas directly from the crater of Italy’s Mount Etna.

The scientists, led by volcanologist Prof. Jonathan Castro, took innovation in their field to an unprecedented level by using a DJI Inspire 1 with Zenmuse XT thermal camera to detect the crater’s temperature in combination with the DJI Matrice 600 Pro as a frame for a multi-gas measurement box to analyse gas composition and deformation from the air.

“With thousands of people living in the vicinity of volcanoes, we wanted to understand better how they behave,” said Prof. Castro. “Mount Etna has a long and frequent history of lava forming and eruptions. It’s a perfect natural laboratory, but one we need to analyse more thoroughly to protect the population in the area.”

The gas measurement box usedelectrochemical sensors with special detectors that captured the volcano’s vapours and provided an instant estimate of the gas concentration when the drone returned to the base camp.

The mission found that sulphur concentrations are much higher near vents, the cavities from which lava flows. In addition, the drone was able to sample solids that were forming due to sulphur reacting in the atmosphere with water and other components helping the scientists to better grasp the chemical evolution of volcanic gas plumes.

The 6-day expedition to Mount Etna, operating at more than 3000 meters above sea level, was a one-of-a kind experience for DJI and the University of Mainz. “Danger was always in the back of our minds,” said Yehonatan Richter, Film Director at DJI Studio Europe, “but we knew that we could deliver what our academic partners expected because our technology is most suited to this kind of challenge and safe to operate. Drones allow for faster and accurate data collection. They also help reduce exposure to hazardous working conditions.”

“The academic world is reacting positively and more institutions around the world are relying on drones in their quest to predict eruptions,” said Prof. Castro. “This brings us a step closer to potentially saving thousands of lives.”

Watch the video “Predicting Mount Etna”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfOUx3hsa4

For more information, please contact us at pr.eu@dji.com.

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DJI is a global leader in developing and manufacturing civilian drones and aerial imaging technology for personal and professional use. DJI was founded and is run by people with a passion for remote-controlled helicopters and experts in flight-control technology and camera stabilization. The company is dedicated to making aerial photography and filmmaking equipment and platforms more accessible, reliable and easier to use for creators and innovators around the world. DJI’s global operations currently span across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and its revolutionary products and solutions have been chosen by customers in over 100 countries for applications in filmmaking, construction, emergency response, agriculture, conservation and many other industries.

Global leader in civil drone technology and aerial photography systems

Since 2006, DJI has led the world with civilian drone innovations that have empowered individuals to take flight for the first time, visionaries to turn their imagination into reality, and professionals to transform their work entirely. Today, DJI serves to build a better world by continuously promoting human advancement. With a solution-oriented mindset and genuine curiosity, DJI has expanded its ambitions into areas such as agriculture, public safety, surveying and mapping, and infrastructure inspection. In every application, DJI products deliver experiences that add value to lives around the world in more profound ways than ever before.

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