After the voyage, Lee-Gray and Adam will download the drones’ data into Esri software programs. A 20-minute flight can take up to six hours to process! Once they process the data, they will be able to analyze the results and see what they have discovered.
Adam and Lee-Gray’s research will help create better maps of this very remote part of the Earth. Very few humans have ever visited this part of East Greenland! Their mapping data, created by drones and computer software, will improve the maps in this area.
Adam and Lee-Gray are also looking for caves! Not much is known about caves in this area. They are hoping to discover new caves by using drone technology to search for thermal, or heat, signatures on the land. So far, they have not found any caves. I hope they do!
Adam and Lee-Gray showed me their equipment and I took a good look at their sticker collections. Did you know that the yellow-and-black bat sticker is a symbol of the National Speleological Society? Adam said that if you put this sticker on your car or laptop, other cavers will know that you are a caver, too. It’s a great way to make new friends who share your same interests!
Adam told me some stories about an American caving pioneer, Jan Conn. Adam got to know Jan personally. She was a big role model to him. She was one of the first cavers to explore many caves in the United States. Jan inspired Adam to become a caver and to work hard to discover and protect America’s amazing caves! Do you think you would like to explore a cave? Why or why not?
