This is VolcanoBot, and it's changing the way we see volcanos.
Volcanic eruptions can wreak havoc on nearby populations, that's why humans are always trying to discover better ways to predict their behavior. Studying volcanic data is a crucial piece of that puzzle, and that's where VolcanoBot comes in.
A fumarole, an opening near a volcano from which gases are released, is one of the many areas scientists are looking to gather more data. The gas from fumeroles is fast-moving and can provide quick information from below the earth's surface, but it's also very hot and often toxic, making it dangerous to measure. VolcanoBot, however, is built to withstand the extreme heat of a fumarole, making it a much safer option for getting that important, yet difficult to reach, data.
We visited a geothermal hot spot near Mammoth to test the bot's performance under the extreme conditions it would experience in a fumarole. Here, I'm lowering a temperature probe to determine the current conditions inside.
For a closer look at how VolcanoBot explores a fumarole, check out this video: