Geologists will now work with an uncrewed shipbuilder and operator headquartered in Essex, United Kingdom, to get the information they need about the undersea Tonga volcano.
In December and January, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in the South Pacific erupted, sending a cloud of ash 36 miles into the air and triggering a tsunami that affected Japan and the Americas.
Inside Unmanned Systems mentioned that scientists may now obtain the data they want more securely, swiftly, effectively, and thoroughly than they could have, thanks to the 12-meter Maxlimer.
Uncrewed Boat to Remotely Help Experts Examine Tonga Volcano
Ashley Skett, director of operations at Sea-Kit, told BBC Radio 4's Inside Science program that the operators could even converse through radio with other boats in the region; thus, the other boats wouldn't be aware that anyone was on board Maxlimer.
"The boat has been designed from the ground up to be remotely controlled and remotely operated," Skett said per BBC News.
"So every switch, every function on the boat, every light, we can control from here," Skett added.
The future of maritime operations is expected to involve robotic, remote-controlled boats. Remote control guarantees that no crew members are at risk when surveying a hazardous region, such as the active HTHH volcano.
USVs are also advantageous for the environment. The vessel may be considerably smaller because there is no personnel on board to support it, which lowers carbon dioxide emissions.
The HTHH eruption in January sparked a large tsunami that swept across the Pacific Ocean and inflicted major damage beyond Tonga. The eruption sent an air shockwave as far away as the UK.
While some bad weather is moving across the area, Maxlimer is taking a brief vacation. The boat will return to the underwater volcano once the weather improves so it can finish drawing its caldera map.
The information gathered will aid in the experts' comprehension of the eruption's causes and the ability to anticipate the characteristics of the next eruptions.
An aerial photo of ash rising into the air from an undersea volcanic eruption, part of the uninhabited islet of Hunga Ha'apai, 63 kilometers (39 miles) northwest of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa.
Significant Risks to Health from A Volcanic Eruption
Ash, lava, hot, poisonous gases, and rock form a destructive cocktail during a volcano eruption.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), volcanic explosions have resulted in fatalities.
Additional health dangers associated with volcanic eruptions include wildfires, floods, mudslides, power outages, and polluted drinking water.
After a volcanic eruption, health problems include infectious infections, respiratory conditions, burns, injuries from falls, and auto accidents brought on by ash-induced haze are only a few possible outcomes.
When warnings are heard, there is very little chance that a volcanic explosion would harm one's health.
Exposure to ash entails some danger.
Infants, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions like asthma, emphysema, and other chronic lung diseases may have additional health problems if they breathe in volcanic ash.
Ash is unpleasant, itchy, corrosive, and occasionally acidic.
Tiny ash particles have the potential to scrape the front of the eye. Ash particles may include crystalline silica, a material that causes silicosis.
The majority of the gases from a volcano immediately blow away. However, heavy gases like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide can settle in low-lying areas.
The most common volcanic gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.
Sulfur dioxide can make breathing difficult for healthy people and those with asthma and other respiratory problems.
RELATED ARTICLE: Tsunami Prediction Could Become Possible Using Data From Tonga Underwater Volcano Eruption
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