The 2021 eruption of the Tajogaite volcano in La Palma (Canary Islands) buried the LP-2 road while it was undergoing construction. We are currently rebuilding the section between kilometers 40 and 43, contending with the high temperatures that still persist within the lava field.
“Constructing this new road across the lava field necessitates a thorough assessment of the ground's thermal conditions, as volcanic lava flows can retain high temperatures for many years,” explains Juan Antonio Romero, Head of Topography at Sacyr Engineering in La Palma.
We have addressed this challenge by deploying drones equipped with infrared thermographic cameras for the capture, analysis, and thermal modeling of the affected terrain.
This technology enables us to identify areas with significant thermal activity, evaluate the technical feasibility of the proposed route, and provide recommendations to ensure safe operations for our professionals and partners.
Furthermore, this detailed analysis helps anticipate potential impacts on the road pavement structure and bituminous mixtures, as thermal variations can alter their cohesion, stiffness, and durability. This, in turn, informs the design and construction decisions for the future pavement.
This project is spearheaded by the Canary Islands Ministry of Public Works, which awarded the contract to the JV TAJUYA joint venture (comprising Sacyr Engineering and Infrastructure, Traysesa, Herquipalma, and Los Volcanes). The project is slated for completion in 2028.
Thermal Radiation Measurement
Infrared thermography is a remote sensing technique that detects thermal radiation emitted by objects based on their surface temperature. In the geotechnical field, this tool has proven to be an effective method for:
• Identifying areas of residual volcanic activity.
• Detecting active fractures and gas emissions.
• Analyzing cooling processes in lava flows.
• Evaluating the thermal stability of ground for civil engineering projects.
“Through the acquisition and processing of infrared images, we have generated georeferenced heat maps and graphs that illustrate the thermal evolution. The DJI MATRICE 350 RTK drone, equipped with a camera, can detect temperatures ranging from 0 to 550 degrees Celsius,” explains Juan Antonio Romero.
“This undertaking combines advanced technologies in remote sensing, thermal photogrammetry, and geospatial analysis. As a result, we enhance the road's quality and, crucially, improve site safety and occupational health,” he concludes.
