GPS Technology Helps Detect Dangerous Volcanic Plume

Volcanic eruptions are one of the scariest and most devastating natural disasters we face. Mountains essentially explode and rain fire, ash and magma for miles. Due to the life-threatening and sometimes all-too-surprising nature of these eruptions, scientists have dedicated their lives to improving our understanding of the danger posed by volcanoes, so we are better prepared to minimize destruction.

GPS devices are already used around many of the major known volcanoes. The tracking technology helps researchers determine the level of activity below the surface. As magma rises to the surface, the ground around the mountain, and the mountain itself shifts. However, an innovative researcher recently discovered a new way to use the GPS tracking devices to protect us from the dangers posed by volcanic eruptions.  

“When I learned GPS, you were supposed to use it to measure where you are,” Kristine Larson said, author of the study and professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. “These days, I look for weird things to do with GPS.” When volcanoes erupt, the plumes of smoke and ash sent into the sky can clog airplane engines, causing them to crash. Larson recently discovered that these plumes interrupt the signal of the GPS tracking devices placed around the mountains.

She realized that when the plumes aren’t visible, due to clouds or other factors, the GPS signals can serve as a test as to whether the skies are safe or not. When the smoke has cleared, the GPS signals return to normal. “I always hear people talking about how many bars they have,” Larson said. “That’s basically what I’m using.” Radar can already detect plumes when clouds or other factors obscure vision. However, radar technology is currently more expensive than using GPS devices, many of which are already in place.

GPS Technology Helps Detect Dangerous Volcanic Plume