Volcano studies are getting the ‘weegie’ touch thanks to Glasgow based company Wideblue.

The product design company has worked with the University of Glasgow on building a gravimeter device which can detect minute changes in local gravity caused by magma flow which provides early warning of a potential volcano eruption.

Several of the devices have now been deployed in the field on Mount Etna in Sicily, to start collecting valuable data which can be used in conjunction with other early warning systems.

Gravimetry is a powerful geophysical tool that can detect changes in subsurface mass, allowing scientists to observe processes that involve deeper fluids including magma. 

The device, called Wee-G, measures the flow of lava (shifting of mass) at the summit of the volcano.

It uses the same MEMS technology – micro-electromechanical – found in mobile phones to produce an ultra-sensitive gravimeter which can measure tiny changes in local gravity. 

The silicon springs used in the device are ten times thinner than a human hair which makes the accelerometer very sensitive to any changes in gravity.

Barry Warden, managing director, Wideblue said: “We have been working closely with the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow on the product design and development of the Wee-G.”

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While designing the project, a major concern was cost, as commercial gravimeters can be expensive. 

“The comparative low cost of the Wee-G means that several can be deployed out in the field simultaneously creating what is known as a gravity imager,” Warden said.

“This will provide much richer data sets for scientists and volcano experts to study and hopefully help them predict potential eruptions with more accuracy.”

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