UAS Infrared Photogrammetry at the Poás Volcano Costa Rica; Digital Modeling of Volcanic Craters Used to Assist with Thermal Energy Release Estimations

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 29 - 36, 30.06.2025

Ian Godfrey , José Pablo Sibaja Brenes Geoffroy Avard Maria Martinez Cruz , Khadija Meghraouı

https://doi.org/10.53093/mephoj.1499142

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Systems frequently abbreviated UAS or drones are quickly emerging as an economical solution to compliment work in various sectors. UAS are being used successfully in analytical services, data collection and algorithm processing, advancements in modern aeronautical practices, data fusion, scientific synergy, UAS hardware solutions for information gathering, regulations for air space and requirements for remote pilots. Today drones are being successfully used in hazard assessment and making valued contributions to the scientific community such as the creation of the thermal 3-D digital model of the Poás Volcano National Park in Costa Rica. Drones were used in Costa Rica during the month of May of 2023 to assist Universidad Nacional with gathering data on the active crater and Laguna Caliente of the Poás Volcano National Park. The objective for using UAS at the summit of the volcano was to generate crater depth and other distance measurements, collect images used with georeferencing software to measure crater radius and estimating amounts of geological material in volume. UAS with IR sensors were used to monitor the dispersion of relative thermal energy release inside and around the active West Crater. The thermal energy release UAS survey was in cooperation with LAQAT-UNA Study of Volcanic Emissions and They´re Effects on the Local Communities.” UAS were used to try to monitor the temperature of the fumaroles individually from within the active crater. Drones were also deployed to gather videography of the degassing state observed from the aerial perspective from within the active crater of the Poás Volcano. All remote flights were completed using the SINAC Special Use UAS Research Permit – SINAC-ACC-PI-LC-037-2021.

Keywords

Costa Rica, Drone, Volcano

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