4 minute lesson
Drones Helping to Explore Life on the Edge of a Volcano
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stand at the edge of a lava lake?
Humans aren’t well-equipt for life at those extremes but some life is. So, how do you study some of the most inhospitable places on Earth? Why not sacrifice a few drones?
Using drones, the filmmaker Sam Cossman set out on an expedition to document Marum, an active volcano, on the island of Ambrym in the archipelago nation of Vanuatu. Drone footage allowed the team to document the volcano like never before, gathering important information that allows scientists to study this volcano from thousands of miles away!
Here is (the always incredible) National Geographic with a look at the world on the volcano’s edge!
Why It Matters
Studying volcanoes allows us to study our planet’s origins. Whether you are studying the ways the ground beneath our feet formed or the extremes that life calls home, volcanoes offer us insights into Earth’s past.
Technologies like drones are changing what’s possible as we explore these kinds of dangerous and remote corners of our planet. It’s remarkable that a piece of technology that has become so common is being used by some of the worlds leading scientists to push the boundaries of our knowledge!
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National Geographic
Inspiring people to care about the planet! National Geographic is the world’s premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what’s possible.