In the Field
Once in the field, the team got to work. First, they set up cameras in a special way. They wanted to take time‑lapse photos of the vent.
Three cameras were set up with radio receivers. The cameras were turned on using a remote control. Then photographs would be taken at the same time from different locations.
The cameras needed to be close to each other to pick up signals from the remote control. They also needed to be aimed at the same point.
The team angled the cameras into position. They took test shots to make sure the cameras were working. Then, they weighed them down with rocks to hold them in place on their tripods.
Grocke inspects the cameras
and other gear before positioning them
around the lava dome.
Routine Maintenance
The cameras focused on the active vent. They would take one picture every five seconds during the daytime. One picture would be taken every minute at night. The team took pictures for 36 hours straight.
These three cameras will be connected using radio transmitters and receivers, so that they can take photos of the lava dome at the same time from three different places.
Every eight hours, the batteries in the cameras had to be changed. This was hard to do in the middle of the night. Headlamps and hiking poles helped team members scoot down the mountain on their backsides to reach each camera. Not the most dignified way to go down a mountain, but it worked!
While they waited, Grocke took notes of her observations. Salazar took photographs. Donihue took GPS readings and used a drone to take aerial photographs.
These three cameras will be connected using radio transmitters and receivers, so that they can take photos of the lava dome at the same time from three different places.