Swinglet CAM Used to Map Lava Flow in Hawaii

A high-resolution aerial photo captured by the senseFly swinglet CAM over an advancing flow breakout heading towards Pāhoa, Hawai‘i, on October 22.

Using an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a camera, a team from the University of Hawaii is mapping the active lava flow front of the Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii Island.

On October 22, a flight team from the UH Hilo Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization (SDAV) Laboratory used a senseFly swinglet CAM professional GIS drone to map the active flow front. The high-resolution still images captured by an RGB camera payload were then merged into a full orthomosaic for use by Civil Defense emergency planners. The flight was a collaborative partnership with Hawaii County Civil Defense and the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

As of October 29, the lava flow is headed toward the town of Pāhoa in the district of Puna, threatening to cut off the main highway and other access roads, isolating an area of about 10,000 residents from the rest of the island. The flow is advancing at 10 yards an hour and is 280 yards from Pahoa Village Road.

The researchers plan to fly again and continue supporting relief operations with quick aerial assessments when needed. Sensefly representatives are closely monitoring and supporting the team’s mapping relief effort and are ready with additional equipment as needed.

The UH Hilo flight team includes Ryan Perroy, assistant professor of geography and environmental science; Nicolas Turner, SDAV cyber computer programming analyst; and Arthur Cunningham, consultant for aeronautical science.

“The lava flow has already impacted the lives of many residents in Puna,” Perroy said. “Our UAV support can provide quick and accurate information to emergency responders.”

The team closely monitored the flight performance of the swinglet CAM UAV as it traveled over the lava and noted minor turbulence as it crossed the thermally dynamic environment. A county helicopter provided support with an air observer on board from the UAV team during flight operations.

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office of the Federal Aviation Administration worked closely with the Hilo research team on approval of their Certificate of Authorization. The flights are in direct support of disaster-relief operations in the area, and the FAA and flight team worked together to make sure all safety concerns were met.

The lava flow advances directly behind researchers (from left) Matt Patrick and Frank Trusdell, geologists at the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory; Asia Addlesberger, GIS specialist with the County of Hawai‘i; Tim Orr, head geologist at HVO; and UH Hilo researchers Ryan Perroy, assistant professor of geography and environmental science; Nicolas Turner, cyber computer programming analyst; and Jonathan Price, associate professor of geography.