First results of UAV infrared survey of thermal objects of the Kuril Islands in 2023

Abstract

For monitoring hard-to-reach thermal facilities, remote surveillance techniques from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a thermal infrared camera represent a progressive platform for rapid information collection. This paper presents the first results of such an application of UAVs to study five thermal objects on the Kuril Islands. Four of them (Kipyashchaya Riwer on Iturup Island, Lake Biryuzovoye on Simushir Island, Yankich Island and Yurieva River on Paramushir Island) are associated with active volcanoes. Heat maps with precise geographical reference have been obtained for all sections of gas hydrothermal discharge. For Kipyashchaya River and Yankich Island verification of air thermometry by ground data was performed and real atmospheric attenuation coefficients were obtained for different flight altitudes under observed meteorological conditions. The first data on the parameters of the thermal plume from the hot Yurievа River flowing into the Sea of Okhotsk were obtained.

Keywords

• uav
• aerial photography
• infrared
• kuril islands
• hot springs
• fumaroles