How Apliter Termografía and FLIR Are Enhancing Volcanic Surveillance in La Palma with Cutting-Edge Gas Detection Technology

When the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted in La Palma in 2021, it left more than just a scarred landscape—it created ongoing challenges for public safety and environmental monitoring. Even after the eruption ended, the island continued to grapple with invisible threats like carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, which can accumulate dangerously in low-lying areas.

Recognizing the need for a more advanced monitoring solution, the National Geographic Institute (Instituto Geográfico Nacional - IGN) turned to new technology to strengthen its volcanic surveillance efforts. Enter the FLIR G343 Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) camera, provided by Apliter Termografía.

Tackling the Challenge of Gas Detection on La Palma

Even though the eruption is over, the risks haven't disappeared. Carbon dioxide, an invisible and odorless gas, continues to pose a serious threat. In volcanic environments like La Palma, CO₂ can collect unnoticed in depressions and poorly ventilated spaces, displacing oxygen and creating life-threatening situations for both local communities and scientists on the ground.

Symptoms from CO₂ exposure—such as dizziness, disorientation, and even loss of consciousness—can strike quickly. Yet, before the arrival of the FLIR G343, real-time detection tools were limited, forcing researchers to rely on slower, less effective methods.

IGN needed a way to spot dangerous CO₂ concentrations immediately and act fast—and they found their answer with Optical Gas Imaging.

       

Picture 1: Detection of gas in areas of La Palma using an OGI camera. Source: Apliter Termografía

The Power of Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) in Volcanic Surveillance

To help fill this critical gap, Apliter Termografía supplied IGN with the FLIR G343, a specialized thermal imaging camera built for gas detection. Unlike traditional detection methods that require air sampling and lab analysis, the G343 can visualize gas leaks in real time, right in the field.

That means faster decisions, better protection, and more efficient scientific monitoring—all without sending samples back to the lab and waiting for results.

Picture 2: The Deputy Director of IGN and the Commercial Director of Apliter showcasing the FLIR G343.

First Impressions: Field Testing the FLIR G343

When Apliter Termografía’s Commercial Director traveled to La Palma to deliver the camera personally, IGN researchers immediately saw the difference. During field tests, they witnessed firsthand how the FLIR G343 could pinpoint dangerous CO₂ hotspots, helping them work safer and more efficiently in post-eruption environments.

Carmen López, Deputy Director General of Surveillance, Alerts, and Geophysical Studies at the National Geophysical Observatory, praised the technology:

"No volcano observatory has a volcano surveillance tool as powerful as this camera," she noted.

Why This Matters: A Big Leap for Science and Safety

The addition of the FLIR G343 has transformed how IGN monitors La Palma’s volcanic landscape. Now, scientists can collect real-time data more safely and respond quicker to changes, improving both public safety and scientific research.

This success story highlights how technology and expertise can come together to manage natural risks more effectively. The partnership between Apliter Termografía and FLIR shows a strong commitment to advancing safety and innovation, especially in high-risk environments like active volcanic regions.