Saturday, August 13, 2016

'Mouth of hell' volcano gets WiFi connection

Via news.sky.com

An active volcano known as the "mouth of hell" is being connected to the internet so WiFi sensors can send alerts if an eruption is imminent.

Some 80 sensors are being placed up to 365 metres inside Masaya to monitor temperature and pressure.

It is one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes, and regularly poses a danger to people living nearby.

The last major eruption was in 2008, when plumes of ash were blasted 3.8 miles into the atmosphere.


Volcanologist Guillermo Caravantes warned that another large eruption could put millions of lives at risk.

"It could happen at any time and the problem is, we are not able to predict when this could happen or what sorts of signs from the volcano," he said.

The project will be carried out over the next few days by a team which includes riggers and a former astronaut.

The data will be collected in an open-source database which scientists and any other interested parties can access.

So-called 'volcano diver' Sam Cossman, a filmmaker working on the project, told The Verge: "The goal is essentially to install all these sensors and create the most effective early warning system in the world."

He added: "The long-term goal is to connect all volcanoes, this would be fantastic.

"Like doctors, we'd be able to monitor the vital signs of the volcanoes in real time."

Source

No comments:

Post a Comment