The device created by Dr. Andrew McGonigle, a senior research fellow of the University’s Geography Department, can determine when eruptions will occur, saving the lives of local people and researchers.
The award-winning AEROVOLC II is a small, unmanned helicopter that can be guided in and around volcanoes to measure the amounts of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide present.
Dr. McGonigle, who was named a Laureate at the awards ceremony, said: "Carbon dioxide as a gas is very important with volcanology because it is released from rising batches of magma relatively early on in the ascent process."
A build up of these gases beneath the earth’s surface contributes towards violent eruptions that can pose a significant threat to life and property.
His innovation has been used to monitor volcanoes Etna and Stromboli in Italy, two of the most active in Europe. The aircraft is a cheaper and more effective method than previous attempts to predict volcanic activity and eliminates the dangers researchers face when gathering data.
Experts would normally climb to the crater’s edge to collect information, which often results in fatalities.
"What we are trying to do is enable the same measurement of carbon dioxide emissions but enabling scientists to remain completely remote at a safe distance from the volcano," Dr. McGonigle explained.
The international Rolex award, including a £67,000 grant, was presented on November 18 during a ceremony in Dubai celebrating innovators in science, exploration, conservation, and the arts.
"Being granted this award is a profound and unexpected honour which has given me the deepest joy and satisfaction," Dr. McGonigle added.
"I am very much looking forward to using these funds to purchase the latest in autonomous flight helicopter technology and to deploy this on volcanoes in attempts to improve our eruption forecasting capabilities."
Ten winners chosen from across 127 countries also received a Rolex chronometer and worldwide publicity campaigns for their projects.
Chief executive of Rolex Patrick Heiniger said: "The Rolex Awards for Enterprise enable the work of global pioneers who are breaking new ground in their fields and improving lives worldwide.
"We are proud to support these truly original thinkers and salute them for their ingenuity and commitment of purpose."
The grant money will improve the invention’s reliability and accuracy, allowing it to pinpoint eruptions weeks and in some cases months, before they happen.
The technology means that people living in volcanic zones will receive reliable warnings before an eruption, allowing them time to prepare and evacuate, potentially saving thousands of lives.
Professor Grant Bigg, Head of the University’s Department of Geography said: "We are delighted that Andrew has been given the opportunity to develop the device and wish him well with the project."
Lauren Merryweather
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