Sicily tests drones to predict volcanic eruptions

Hovering over a crater's edge, a buzzing drone pauses in front of a laser beam as researchers test whether the devices can measure gases to predict volcanic eruptions, according to reporting from The Local Italy. The trial represents an effort to improve forecasting of volcanic activity at one of Europe's most active peaks.

Etna, on Sicily's eastern coast, has shaped the region's landscape and hazards for centuries. The mountain sits within a broader Italian geography of seismic and volcanic risk that extends northward through the Apennines—a reality that shapes how the country's science institutions approach disaster preparedness. The Abruzzo region, 17 years after the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, remains acutely aware of how sudden geological events can reshape entire towns and displace tens of thousands.