Recent advances have made ultraviolet sensing devices more affordable for predicting volcanic activity. An article in Frontiers in Earth Sciences highlights how these innovations are enabling researchers to observe eruptive processes that unfold beneath the surface, where direct measurements are nearly impossible. By tracking emissions from volcanoes, especially sulfur dioxide, scientists can infer the state of a volcanic system and anticipate eruptions. Since the early 2000s, the idea of using ultraviolet cameras to monitor SO2 releases has evolved, yet earlier setups often required the constant presence of a technician on site.
Thomas Wilkes and his team at the University of Sheffield have now introduced a stand‑alone ultraviolet camera designed for continuous, remote monitoring of volcanoes. The device uses a sensor architecture similar to that of a smartphone camera, adapted to be sensitive to ultraviolet light. This modification allows the camera to reliably detect sulfur dioxide in volcanic plumes, offering a practical tool for ongoing surveillance without the need for on-site operators.
Compared with older models, the new camera is much more economical, with a unit price around $5,000 and reduced power needs. The engineering team achieved this with a largely 3D‑printed chassis that keeps production simple and flexible. In typical operation, the system consumes approximately 3.75 watts and can run on solar power, maintaining functionality even in moderately cloudy conditions. This combination of cost efficiency and low energy demand makes wide deployment feasible across multiple monitoring sites.
Operational performance is strongest under clear blue skies, when the plume of volcanic gases travels at a near‑perpendicular angle to the instrument’s line of sight. In this favorable geometry, ultraviolet absorption signals from SO2 stand out clearly against the background, yielding reliable measurements. At present, two cameras are installed in an experimental configuration on the Lascar volcano in Chile, serving as proof of concept and a testbed for refinement before broader adoption in active regions worldwide.
These developments fit into a broader trend toward autonomous, sensor‑based volcanology, where researchers combine optical sensing, gas analysis, and remote data transmission to build a more resilient monitoring network. The move toward standalone ultraviolet cameras aligns with the goal of reducing field labor while preserving the accuracy and timeliness of eruption forecasts. It also opens up possibilities for rapid deployment in remote or hazardous locations where human presence is limited or risky. The ongoing work includes calibration against ground truth measurements and integration with other observables, such as seismic tremor, ground deformation, and atmospheric models, to strengthen predictive capabilities. Source: Frontiers in Earth Sciences and related research teams.