Ever since the 2013 drone article in EARTH Magazine, I’ve been interested in seeing how this topic would develop in the geosciences. Drones have brought geoscientists and enthusiasts even closer to erupting volcanoes and breathtaking views of the world’s most impressive landscapes (when it was still legal-ish). While stunning visuals and abient music are great, the potential to use drones/UAVs to gather data for the geosciences is great. This summer AGI Member Organization the Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society (EEGS) published an article in their Newsletter FastTIMES, about how the FAA regulations on drone use presents challenges to doing geoscience research. There are more articles on the subject in that issue, so definitely read it through. This is consistent with a story released today by NATURE on how drone regulation has impeded geographical research. 

Regulations may not be completely unwarranted though, last week a drone crash landed into Yellowstone National Park’s Grand Prismatic Spring, potentially damaging a delicate hydrothermal system. 

Have a great weekend!

- M. Moses