UAV-Based Thermal Reconnaissance Across Five Volcanic Landscapes: Aspect-Related Surface Temperature Patterns in the Kula Volcanic Field

UAV thermal imaging provides high-resolution observations of surface-temperature organization across topographically complex volcanic terrain. This study examines UAV-derived apparent surface temperature across five contrasting volcanic landscapes in the Kula Volcanic Field, western Türkiye. RGB, thermal, and elevation data collected during a two-day UAV campaign were analyzed to compare north-, east-, south-, and west-facing surfaces within common 5-m elevation intervals and along representative south–north swath profiles. Apparent surface temperature showed no consistent relationship with elevation. South-facing surfaces were warmer than north-facing surfaces in 80 of 82 elevation-bin comparisons, while median within-site south–north differences ranged from 5.0 to 30.1 °C. The clearest thermal–topographic organization occurred at Sandal Divlit, where opposing outer and inner slopes formed an alternating warm–cool–warm–cool sequence. More complex patterns occurred at sites characterized by reservoir proximity, fragmented volcanic terrain, agricultural modification, vegetation, and heterogeneous surface materials. Aspect–elevation comparisons provided a consistent basis for interpreting thermal patterns, although aspect did not account for all local variation. UAV thermal imagery can complement RGB imagery and terrain models in volcanic-landform reconnaissance, field targeting, and geoconservation-oriented documentation. Because acquisition timing and solar geometry varied among surveys, the observations represent flight-specific spatial contrasts rather than persistent thermal regimes.