Newest Icelandic Volcano Hosts Perfect Conditions to Replicate Martian Environment

Iceland's newest volcano is set to be used as a testing site for a drone to be used on future Martian missions.

On 60 Minutes, Bill Whitaker, renowned journalist, traveled to Iceland's Geldingadalir valley. The valley has recently recorded over 30,000 earthquakes that shook southwest Iceland in March. Some were small and lasted a few seconds, while others clocked at 5.4 on the Richter scale.

World's Newest Volcano Burst to Life

On the 19th of March, volcanologists studying the valley reported the birth of the world's newest volcano. The eruption is the first time a volcano erupted on the island in the past 800 years. Scientists hurriedly scrambled to reach the area, only 20 miles from Reykjavik, Iceland's capital.

Its location made it perfect for researchers to gather samples and collect data that, often than not, would prove extremely hazardous in remote volcanic eruptions. Christopher Hamilton, an associate professor of planetary sciences at the University of Arizona and an adjunct professor at the University of Iceland was in the right place at the right time and saw the opportunity to unlock the planet's secrets and beyond.

He explains that the eruption hosted the perfect opportunity to study other planets. Saying that the barren vegetation and landscape of the valley are similar to what can be seen in the Martian environment.

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Martian Drones--The Future of Martian Explorations

After receiving a grant from NASA valued at 3 million dollars, Hamilton developed a unique drone that will one day fly on the Red Planet. The RAVEN, or Rover-Aerial-Vehicle- Exploration-Network was tested in the difficult environment provided by the world's newest volcano. He explains that Iceland hosts the perfect substitute environment due to its barren vegetation, rugged volcanic landscape, enormous lava fields, and constant volcanic activity.

In April, parts of NASA's 2020 Martian missions, the Ingenuity helicopter was able to successfully test powered flight on the Red Planet. The helicopter had two cameras for navigation and imaging. It accompanied the Perseverance rover, and together, tested whether it was possible for a rover and helicopter to co-exist and work together.

Hamilton explains that he is testing the same revolutionary technology on Iceland's unforgiving landscape.

The RAVEN drone is designed to accompany a rover and will fly ahead feeding data to its four-wheeled counterpart in order to generate 3D maps of Mars. In addition, it is slated to assist the rover in exploring previously inaccessible areas on the Red Planet. Additionally, the RAVEN will be equipped with claws that would be able to pick up samples of rocks and Martian soil which then will be delivered to the rover.

Hamilton tells 60 Minutes that the RAVEN drone has revolutionized fieldwork. The ability to send a drone with an attached claw or drill to acquire samples provides a new paradigm for exploring the most rugged and unforgiving landscapes of Mars that haven't been explored from the ground.

The RAVEN drone is scheduled for a three-year project. Hamilton and his team hope that prototypes could be tested by 2022, subsequently, to publish technological recommendations by 2023 for NASA.