An innovative new portable observatory is making its way around the world—SKATE (Setup for the Kinematic Acquisition of Explosive Eruptions). This exciting new development will provide a radical new capability to monitor volcanic unrest. For the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), this spurred creation of an innovative system. It’s capable of stunning temporal resolution of hundreds of frames per second for each eruptive event. For example, the SKATE system represents a significant upgrade over her earlier FAMoUS (Fast Multiparametric Setup) system. Its primary goals are to improve our understanding of explosive eruptions and protect the communities that live in their shadows.
SKATE is meant to run on its own for a full day’s worth of data collection in ideal weather conditions. This suitcase-sized system is powered by solar panels and removable batteries. It’s a pretty fantastic fieldwork tool for work in remote, rugged volcanic areas! Its huge data storage capacity can go up to 6 terabytes with dual SSDs. This novel capability allows for holistic recordings of eruptions, capturing both auditory and thermal aspects.
Key Features of SKATE
The SKATE system combines a range of new sophisticated technologies to monitor and predict volcanic eruptions more efficiently. SKATE employs high-speed cameras, thermal and acoustic sensors, and a UV camera to measure sulfur dioxide emissions. It further examines explosive occurrences as they are happening. You can pretty much place the system anywhere from 300 meters to 900 meters away from active volcanic vents. This configuration both enables it to collect precise scientific data and remain protected from direct threats.
Most recently, researchers put the observatory to the test at a handful of active volcanoes. Among these were Italy’s Stromboli and Mount Etna, as well Guatemala’s Fuego and Santiaguito volcanoes. With every test we’ve gained new critical information on eruptive dynamics. Stromboli erupts often, in easy-to-predict small bursts, and has become a natural laboratory for vulcanologists. Still, these eruptions have created persistent safety hazards for local residents and tourists alike.
“Explosive eruptions are extremely fast processes with particles the size of a truck or a grain of dust that can travel from a few meters per second to supersonic speeds,” – Jacopo Taddeucci
Future Deployments and Applications
The next phase for SKATE begins with its planned deployment to Mount Yasur in Vanuatu. This beautiful place is known as the “Lighthouse of the Pacific.” This volcano’s activity will offer future opportunities for researchers to improve their predictive capabilities leading up to explosive eruptions. The INGV continues to provide rapid analysis of patterns emerging from repeat eruptive episodes. As a result, they are creating extensive reference libraries to train automated systems to identify early warning signs from real-time data streams.
Alessia Longo, a researcher who worked on the project elaborated on the obstacles they encountered in development.
“The real challenge wasn’t plugging in cameras and sensors,” – Alessia Longo
Part of what’s been essential in developing SKATE has been the opportunity to repurpose technologies developed for other industries. Piergiorgio Scarlato highlighted this aspect:
“The creativity of a volcanologist lies in the ability to take technologies developed for other industries, like high-speed cameras used in sports events or military thermal imagers, and adapt them for scientific research on active volcanoes,” – Piergiorgio Scarlato
Impact on Volcanology and Safety
The data collected by SKATE will enhance the scientific community’s understanding of volcanic behavior and may lead to improved safety measures for those living near active sites. Building on SKATE’s initial success, the INGV has since analyzed over a thousand explosions recorded on Stromboli between 2019 and 2024 using SKATE. This analysis could prove invaluable in preventing disasters by providing timely warnings based on observed eruption patterns.
“Depth is what turns a spectacular image into a measurement,” noted Piergiorgio Scarlato, emphasizing the importance of quantifiable data in volcanology.
With all the demanding environmental conditions that SKATE runs, its durability is put to the test.
“Working in such extreme conditions, with humidity, gases, and sudden temperature changes, is the real test for any technology,” – Piergiorgio Scarlato
The project was completed with a budget of €50,000 (approximately US $58,000), showcasing how innovative solutions can emerge from modest funding.