Andrew McGonigle - 2008 Laureate

Using a plastic stool and elastic bands, Andrew McGonigle devised an ingenious way to load an onboard computer and sophisticated sensors on the helicopter. Equipped with tailored sensors and instruments, McGonigle's helicopter provides a safe way to monitor volcanic gases escaping from fuming vents. Flying the helicopter into the volcano's plume allows McGonigle to easily measure the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), vital data to help predict future eruptions. Andrew McGonigle has developed a small-scale, remote-controlled helicopter to measure volcanic gas emissions and help predict eruptions. Physicist turned volcanologist Andrew McGonigle has, over the past decade, developed innovative observation techniques to study volcanic gases. Before erupting, volcanoes release gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (S02) during the magma's slow ascent. Monitoring them provides early clues that an eruption is developing. Volcanic eruptions, like this one of Mount Stromboli, have killed thousands of people with little advance warning of the danger. McGonigle shares the data collected by the helicopter with Italian volcanologists Sergio Gurrieri (left) and Alessandro Aiuppo (centre). Volcanoes represent an age-old threat to people living around them. Andrew McConigle is creating an early warning system to predicts eruptions. Remote-controlled helicopter champion David Fischer (left) operates McGonigle's aircraft in the plume of a volcano. It takes only a few minutes to gather the necessary data. Helicopter flight over a volcano.
Using a plastic stool and elastic bands, Andrew McGonigle devised an ingenious way to load an onboard computer and sophisticated sensors on the helicopter.

©RolexAwards/Marc Latzel

Vulcano Island, Italy, 2008
Using a plastic stool and elastic bands, Andrew McGonigle devised an ingenious way to load an onboard computer and sophisticated sensors on the helicopter.

Equipped with tailored sensors and instruments, McGonigle's helicopter provides a safe way to monitor volcanic gases escaping from fuming vents.

©RolexAwards/Marc Latzel

Vulcano Island, Italy, 2008
Equipped with tailored sensors and instruments, McGonigle's helicopter provides a safe way to monitor volcanic gases escaping from fuming vents.

Flying the helicopter into the volcano's plume allows McGonigle to easily measure the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), vital data to help predict future eruptions.

©RolexAwards/Giancardo Tamburello

Vulcano Island, Italy, 2008
Flying the helicopter into the volcano's plume allows McGonigle to easily measure the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), vital data to help predict future eruptions.

Andrew McGonigle has developed a small-scale, remote-controlled helicopter to measure volcanic gas emissions and help predict eruptions.

©RolexAwards/Marc Latzel

Vulcano Island, Italy, 2008
Andrew McGonigle has developed a small-scale, remote-controlled helicopter to measure volcanic gas emissions and help predict eruptions.

Physicist turned volcanologist Andrew McGonigle has, over the past decade, developed innovative observation techniques to study volcanic gases.

©RolexAwards/Marc Latzel

Vulcano Island, Italy, 2008
Physicist turned volcanologist Andrew McGonigle has, over the past decade, developed innovative observation techniques to study volcanic gases.

Before erupting, volcanoes release gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (S02) during the magma's slow ascent. Monitoring them provides early clues that an eruption is developing.

©RolexAwards/Marc Latzel

Stromboli Island, Italy, 2008
Before erupting, volcanoes release gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (S02) during the magma's slow ascent. Monitoring them provides early clues that an eruption is developing.

Volcanic eruptions, like this one of Mount Stromboli, have killed thousands of people with little advance warning of the danger.

©RolexAwards/Marc Latzel

Stromboli Island, Italy, 2008
Volcanic eruptions, like this one of Mount Stromboli, have killed thousands of people with little advance warning of the danger.

McGonigle shares the data collected by the helicopter with Italian volcanologists Sergio Gurrieri (left) and Alessandro Aiuppo (centre).

©RolexAwards/Marc Latzel

Palermo, Italy, 2008
McGonigle shares the data collected by the helicopter with Italian volcanologists Sergio Gurrieri (left) and Alessandro Aiuppo (centre).

Volcanoes represent an age-old threat to people living around them. Andrew McConigle is creating an early warning system to predicts eruptions.

©RolexAwards/Marc Latzel

Vulcano Island, Italy, 2008
Volcanoes represent an age-old threat to people living around them. Andrew McConigle is creating an early warning system to predicts eruptions.

Remote-controlled helicopter champion David Fischer (left) operates McGonigle's aircraft in the plume of a volcano. It takes only a few minutes to gather the necessary data.

©RolexAwards/Giancardo Tamburello

Vulcano Island, Italy, 2008
Remote-controlled helicopter champion David Fischer (left) operates McGonigle's aircraft in the plume of a volcano. It takes only a few minutes to gather the necessary data.

Helicopter flight over a volcano.

©Thames & Hudson/Rolex Awards


Helicopter flight over a volcano.