Drone magnetic surveys of Aeolian Islands (Italy) hydrothermal areas within IRGIE project

Unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) and airborne magnetometers have recently emerged as new technology to gather, in a productive and economical way, high-resolution magnetic data. In volcanic environments, taking advantage of the strong magnetization contrasts of adjacent rock formations, magnetic field measurements can detect and characterize the main subsurface structural features and indicate areas of hydrothermal alteration, or highlight thermal anomalies. Magnetometer-equipped drones have advantages in high maneuverability and hover ability and are able to carry out large-scale magnetic surveys in areas that are difficult to access due to complex ground conditions and large topographical fluctuations or that would pose a potential hazard to operators.

Between 2024 and 2025, aeromagnetic surveys were conducted by UAV within the IRGIE project for the first time at Aeolian Islands (Italy) to identify possible areas of different magnetization potential related to hydrothermal fluid circulation. In particular, the most significant geochemistry sites have been investigated at Lipari, Salina, Panarea and Vulcano Islands. The airborne magnetic surveys were conducted using the Matrice 300 UAV with a MagArrow sensor, a laser pumped cesium total field scalar magnetometer, collecting magnetic data at a 1000 Hz sample rate synchronized on-board GPS (1 Hz sample rate). The high spatial resolution offered by the use of low-altitude drones proved essential for mapping the magnetic anomaly in detail and deducing the distribution of magnetization intensity in the investigated regions. The upcoming interpretation of acquired magnetic data, to be integrated with geophysical and geochemical data will may contribute to the development of conceptual models of geothermal circulation in the investigated areas.