For 800 years, the volcanic series near Grindavik and the renowned Blue Lagoon in Iceland remained dormant. However, in 2021, signs of life began to stir beneath the earth's surface. Increased seismic activity hinted at a long-overdue eruption, setting the stage for an unprecedented challenge. By November 2023, the situation had escalated dramatically, culminating in the evacuation of Grindavik—a town of 3,800 residents—due to the constant threat of volcanic activity. This moment marked a turning point in how Iceland approached emergency response, with Dock Solutions at the heart of it.
When seismic activity first surged, the Icelandic Civil Protection deployed its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) mobile team to the initial site. The team's drones provided essential monitoring, but the task was resource-intensive, stretching the capabilities of the already limited personnel. With only 700 police officers for the whole country, it quickly became apparent that a more sustainable solution was needed. Days after the initial tremors, the DJI Dock—an automated "Drone-In-a-Box" system—was installed in Grindavik, revolutionizing how the situation was monitored.
“I can say for sure is that drones have never been as important as of now in this situation for us to maintain security and situational awareness, and keep people, first responders, workers, or those who need to be in that area safe.”
- Arnar Thor Egilsson, Chief Inspector at National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police Technical Support and Drone Project Manager
Chief Inspector at National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police Technical Support and Drone Project Manager
DJI Dock in Action: Enhancing Emergency Response
The DJI Dock immediately proved its worth. Installed on November 16, 2023, it provided continuous, real-time monitoring of critical areas, accessible remotely at any time. As volcanic activity intensified, the DJI Dock is the first source of information, capturing the latest on-site footage and live streaming it to various teams. Scientists, meteorologists, and emergency responders all had access to this crucial information, allowing them to make informed decisions swiftly and effectively.
Real Footage of Volcano Eruption Captured on the Evening of December 8th, 2023
Thermal Camera: Navigating a Shifting Landscape
One of the most significant challenges during a volcanic eruption is ensuring the safety of first responders as they navigate a rapidly changing environment. The ground around Grindavik was constantly moving, creating cracks and holes that posed severe risks to anyone on site. Before infrastructure teams could safely enter the area, reconnaissance by the drones (Mobile Team/ DJI DOCK) was very essential. The thermal mapping capabilities allowed responders to detect the cracks on the road in advance, ensuring that personnel arrives there safely and effectively. Especially during winter in Iceland, daylight can last as little as 4 or 5 hours. In such an environment, thermal cameras play a crucial role.
Thermal Mapping Of DJI Dock
Another critical challenge during volcanic eruptions is assessing the threat posed by lava flows. With the frequent eruptions near Grindavik, distinguishing between old and new lava on the surface became essential. The DJI Dock's thermal camera made this possible. Although the surface of the lava might cool and appear black, the thermal camera can still detect the heat of the fresh lava beneath. This feature enabled first responders and the construction team to determine which areas were safe for access, further ensuring their safety during operations.
Moreover, thermal cameras can also inspect defense walls surrounding the town, to check whether they are in good condition. These walls were designed to protect against lava flows, but with the frequent eruptions, the risk of lava breaching them underground was high. Such breaches could only be detected by thermal cameras, allowing for early intervention and preventing potentially catastrophic consequences.
Thermal Image of Lava Beneath the Surface and Breach of the Defense Wall
Constant Monitoring with Preprogrammed Daily Flights
The unpredictable nature of volcanic eruptions means that danger can strike at any time. The DJI Dock’s preprogrammed daily flights provided ongoing monitoring even during periods of volcanic inactivity. These routine flights recorded changes in the landscape, allowing for early detection of potential threats. During cease periods, when eruptions were not occurring, these flights were particularly crucial as they ensured that any signs of renewed activity were caught in time to prevent disaster.
One-Tap Panorama Sync: Comprehensive Daily Assessments
In addition to real-time monitoring, the DJI Dock’s One Tap Sync Panorama feature was invaluable for daily assessments. This function provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape, capturing daily panoramic photos that documented changes in the lava flows and infrastructure conditions. These images were crucial for post-disaster assessments, helping teams to understand the impact of each eruption and to plan their response more effectively in the future.
Live Flight Controls: Flexibility in Unpredictable Scenarios
Despite the extensive preprogrammed routes and scheduled flights, emergencies don’t always occur within predefined boundaries. The DJI Dock, integrated with FlightHub2 (FH2), offered a solution with its live flight control capabilities. In cases where an unexpected situation arose outside the preprogrammed route area, operators could take manual control of the drone. With just a click of a yellow arrow on the FH2 interface, the drone could be directed to any pinpoint location on the screen. This user-friendly feature made it possible for operators to respond instantly to changing conditions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the area and the ability to quickly address unforeseen challenges.
FlightHub2 - Live Flight Control
Coordinated Response with Advanced Data Sharing
In a crisis, coordination between different teams is vital. The DJI Dock, integrated with FlightHub2 (FH2), facilitated this by providing a platform for multiple users to access live data simultaneously. Whether it was scientists analyzing the situation or construction teams preparing to respond, everyone had the information they needed, when they needed it.
The media-sharing capabilities of FH2 further extended this reach. It allowed external users to view individual footage or entire folders via a simple link, without requiring registration. Onsite team members could easily share images of what they were seeing with their teams. This seamless information sharing was instrumental in ensuring a coordinated response to the unfolding crisis.
Media Sharing on FlightHub2
Media Sharing on FlightHub2
Expanded Capabilities with 3rd-Party Solutions
Beyond monitoring, the DJI Dock played a crucial role in ensuring public safety. Equipped with third-party accessories such as sirens and strobe lights, it served as an early warning system for the residents of Grindavik. In the event of an imminent eruption, these features could alert the population, giving them precious time to evacuate safely. You can get more information about the 3rd-party solutions from our catalogue.
User-Friendly Interface Empowers Responder Training
With a limited number of police officers and emergency responders in Iceland, training more personnel to use the DJI Dock became essential. Fortunately, the system's user-friendly interface made the training process straightforward. Now, Civil Protection in Iceland is training more police officers so they can support each other during emergencies.
A New Standard in Emergency Response
The repeated volcanic eruptions in Grindavik have tested the limits of emergency response in Iceland, but thanks to Dock Solutions, the situation has remained under control. By integrating new technology with practical, real-world applications, DJI Dock has transformed how emergencies are managed. It has provided the Icelandic Civil Protection with the tools they need to monitor, assess, and respond to crises in real-time, ensuring the safety of both responders and the public.
As Iceland continues to face the challenges posed by its volatile landscape, the success of Dock Solutions offers a blueprint for emergency management worldwide. In an increasingly unpredictable world, having the right tools at your disposal can mean the difference between chaos and control.
For more insights, here is an interview we conducted with the Chief Inspector of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police.
