Wireless M2M Communication Solutions Provide Seismic and Volcanic Monitoring for Early Eruption Warning in Ecuador

• Sensors - GPS

• National Security & Defense
• Security & Public Safety

• Field Services
• Quality Assurance

• Predictive Maintenance
• Remote Asset Management
• Remote Control

• System Integration
• Hardware Design & Engineering Services

The Institute of Geophysics of Ecuador faced the challenge of implementing an affordable, real-time telemetry system that is simple and sturdy for seismic and volcanic monitoring. The need for early warning of volcanic eruptions is critical to ensure that authorities and citizens have enough time to take appropriate precautionary measures. The existing systems required constant maintenance and were not always reliable, especially in extreme conditions. The Institute needed a solution that could provide real-time data transmission from remote and harsh environments, such as the tops of active volcanoes, to improve disaster preparedness and lessen the impact of seismic and volcanic phenomena throughout Ecuador.

The Institute of Geophysics of Ecuador, established in 1983, is responsible for seismic and volcanic monitoring throughout the country. Its mission is to improve disaster preparedness and lessen the impact of seismic and volcanic phenomena via constant monitoring, scientific research, and technology that promotes a precautionary culture. The Institute operates the National Seismograph Network and the National Volcano Observatories, issuing early warnings based on risk maps produced by scientists. The dedication to seismic and volcanic monitoring has helped warn hundreds of thousands of people early, getting them out of harm’s way and saving countless lives during eruptions of the Tungurahua Volcano in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

To address the challenge, the Institute of Geophysics of Ecuador adopted FreeWave Technologies’ serial radio solutions for data transmission. These M2M communication solutions were first installed to transmit data from the Cotopaxi Volcano and the Galapagos Islands. Despite initial uncertainties about the mechanics, features, advantages, and costs of these solutions, they delivered excellent results, reducing maintenance of monitoring stations to zero. The Institute expanded the use of FreeWave M2M communication solutions to various monitoring applications, including real-time broadband seismic stations, accelerometers, meteorological stations, volcanic gas monitoring stations, deformation stations using GPS technology, remote digital cameras, and mud flow quantification stations. The performance and flexibility of FreeWave M2M communication solutions allowed the Institute to continue using this equipment for different applications and projects, providing a cost-effective and reliable solution for real-time data transmission in extreme conditions.

• The FreeWave M2M communication solutions provided highly reliable and stable connections at different distances, meeting the Institute’s expectations.
• The solutions performed exceptionally well in extreme conditions, such as transmitting images from the top of the highest active volcano in the world at below zero-degree temperatures.
• The cost-benefit ratio of the M2M solutions was excellent, making them a preferred choice for various monitoring applications and projects.

• Reduced maintenance of monitoring stations to zero.
• Real-time data transmission from a height of 5,947 meters above sea level.
• Enabled early warnings that helped hundreds of thousands of people.