Monitoring Mount Etna

In a novel example of the broad applications of LoRaWAN® Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, Kerlink’s Wirnet™ gateway is powering a radon-sensing project on Europe’s most active volcano, Mount Etna.

The recently deployed network linking Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily to scientists in Clermont-Ferrand, France, 1,200 kilometers away, transmits radon measurement data, which helps scientists monitor activity of the volcano. Radon is a natural radioactive element found in high concentrations near volcanoes and uranium deposits and is one of the potential precursors of volcanic eruptions.

For many years, scientists have measured radon in the soil of the 3,300m-high Etna, which required on-site visits. A new system of autonomous radon sensors, designed and deployed by French scientists in Clermont-Ferrand and supported by the LoRaWAN® network, remotely and continuously measures radon in plumes of volcanic gas. The system also allows measuring radon emissions near the top of the volcano, an area that was out of reach for soil samples in the winter.

A Kerlink Wirnet® Station at the Etna site collects data from LoRaWAN® nodes, which are connected to radon and meteorological sensors, and transmits the information via its embedded 3G backhaul, to the LoRa® server at Clermont-Ferrand in the French National Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics, where scientists analyze the data. 

“The radon sensors that send their data in near-real time, year-round, to the LoRaWAN® server in Clermont-Ferrand give volcanologists an unprecedented picture of what is happening at Etna,” said Laurent Royer, of Laboratoire de Physique de Clermont. This lab is a joint research unit of Clermont-Auvergne University (UCA), and the French National Center for Scientific Research(CNRS), which support the Etna project.

“This project not only highlights the diverse and vital concrete use cases enabled by LoRaWAN®networks, but also Kerlink’s position as a leading supplier of robust, high-performing gateways for those use cases,” said Stéphane Dejean, Kerlink CMO. “Wirnet gateways are enabling and powering multiple IoT projects in some of the most challenging and demanding environments on Earth.Our teams are very proud to be able to contribute to this type of scientific research-and-prevention project.” 

Arctera unveils updates to help organisations manage AI compliance risks through capture,...
Parallel Works introduces its ACTIVATE AI Partner Ecosystem, enhancing AI infrastructure with...
Korean researchers develop a cutting-edge NPU core enhancing generative AI performance by over 60%...
As AI adoption lags among UK SMEs, potential risks emerge. How can small businesses overcome...
Palo Alto Networks enhances its AI security portfolio by acquiring Protect AI, aiming to secure the...
Commvault plans to acquire Satori Cyber Ltd to bolster its data security and AI governance...
OutSystems launches the Early Access Program for Agent Workbench, designed to streamline AI-driven...
Survey data reveals AI's role as an assistive tool in cybersecurity, highlighting potential areas...