As lava flies, nonemergency aircraft and drones are grounded temporarily

The temporary flight restriction includes drones, and was imposed so that nonessential flights don’t impede or endanger flights by emergency responders that include Hawaii County Fire Department helicopters tracking and assessing eruption activity.

Tracking rising sea levels with drones at UH-Hilo

The University of Hawaii at Hilo is employing drones to track the impact of rising sea levels on Hawaii Island shores. Ryan Perroy, assistant professor of geography and environmental science, said the unmanned aerial vehicles are being used to get a bird’s-eye view and create three-dimensional images of shorelines at Hapuna Beach, Kapoho and Honolii.