UAS hovering over active lava channel helps estimate flow velocity

A UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) conducts a mission in Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone to collect video of flowing lava in fissure 8's upper lava channel. The video was used by scientists to assess lava flow velocities. Velocity is measured by tracking surface features in the stationary video view. UAS offers an advantage for this type of investigation because it can hover above hazardous areas and utilizes stabilized gimbals and mounts so that the video captured by onboard HD cameras is steady and smooth. Information obtained from this mission was relayed to emergency officials to aid in issuing emergency alerts and notices about the timing of evacuations. Video by the U.S. Geological Survey and Office of Aviation Services, Department of the Interior, with support from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.