Hand-held microcontroller-based instrument for detection of lahars and pyroclastic materials

Authors

Gracelyn L. Gatchalian ⋅ PH Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Nelio C. Altoveros ⋅ PH Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines Los Baños

Abstract

A highly sensitive and stable magnetic detection instrument with directional capabilities was developed to measure the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field stored in pyroclastic flows and lahars. The 3517 Allegro sensor used in the instrument was based on the flux gate, hall-effect sensor. An amplifier circuit was constructed to condition the signalfrom the sensor. The instrument was interfaced to an AT90S8515 microcontroller using a 12-bit analog to digital converter (ADC). A software program was developed using Image Craft C programming languagefor processing and display ofdata to a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. The instrument was calibrated by applying different magnetic field intensities and was tested on rock samples in Buyuan Channel, Mayon Volcano, Brgy. Buyuan, Legazpi City. The instrument was successfully used in detecting pyroclastic flows and lahars present along the Buyuan channel through measurement of the intensity and direction of their magnetic fields. The study showed that the area in the Buyuan Channel is at high risk to pyroclastic flows.

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Issue

2003: Proceedings of the 21st Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Congress

Article ID

SPP-2003-3A-03

Section

Environmental Physics

Published

2003-10-22

How to Cite

[1]

GL Gatchalian and NC Altoveros, Hand-held microcontroller-based instrument for detection of lahars and pyroclastic materials, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 21, SPP-2003-3A-03 (2003). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2003-3A-03.