How Do Scientists Predict Volcanic Eruptions?

One physical factor which causes differences in a volcanic hazard is the steepness of the volcano. If the volcanoes sides are of a steep gradient then the

A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat tolife, health, property or environment. The level of hazard posed by different volcanoes can very greatly, from a weak eruption with minimal impact that causes little damage, to a voilent and life threatening explosion. Most of the sixty-plus volcanoes that erupt each year are low risk, however a combination of factors can cause a volcano to be a serious hazard. The factors causing these variations will be explained in this essay.

A particular vulcanologist, Frank Trusdell who is working for the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Obsevatory (HVO), have been studying the historic eruptions of Mauna Loa for the past 3 decades. Trusdell mentioned that Mauna Loa erupt at a long term average of once every 6 years. Currently, there are not much activity by comparing the seismic activity in 1980-1984 to 2011-2014. When a volcanic eruption is imminent, the HVO will alert the Hawaiian emergency management agency and civil defense officials in full emergency mode. Necessary evacuations will be organised for residence and so as broadcasting live alerts through TVs and radio stations. Also, status, reports and HVO websites of the volcano’s activity will also be constantly updated to make sure

Albeit no emissions of magma or volcanic cinder have happened for some a large number of years, future ejections are likely. In the following few hundred years, risks will most likely be restricted to continuous fountain and hot-spring action, incidental steam blasts, and moderate to vast quakes. To better comprehend Yellowstone's well of lava and quake risks and to help ensure people in general, the U.s. Geographical Survey, the University of Utah, and Yellowstone National Park structured the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, which persistently screens movement in the

Volcanoes are some of the most powerful natural forces known to man. Volcanoes usually form at divergent and convergent boundaries. Sometimes they form in the middle of plates where magma fights through the crust. By understanding volcanoes, scientists get a window to the inside of the Earth. They can also study volcanoes to perhaps get closer to predicting eruptions in the future. One of Earth’s volcanoes is Clear Lake. Clear Lake has unique characteristics such as its location, how it forms, and how it erupts. It had erupted in the past with the potential to erupt again.

2. I believe that scientists can predict where a volcano is gonna erupt. Why? Because if there is a volcano, then some time it will erupt, but if there is no volcano in a certain area, then there will be no eruption. I also believe that scientists can predict when a volcano will erupt. They might not get the exact date, but get it very close. By examining the patterns near the volcano, they can try and pinpoint when it erupt next.

Helens will occur. The main issue is that it is impossible to prevent it, or stop it once an eruption has begun. However, procedures can be established to reduce the lives lost or damage to property should a future event occur. Technology for monitoring volcanoes has advanced dramatically over the last 36 years. The seismometers used in 1980 are prehistoric compared to todays equipment. Nowadays, seismometers can hear low-frequency indications of fluid moving deep below the Earth’s surface (Galvin, 2007). Also, scientists with the use of aircrafts with geochemistry advancements can monitor and detect gases rising from volcanos summits. Remote monitoring equipment is used 24 hours a day and 365 days a year by the USGS (USGS, 2014). With that regard, the success of a monitoring system depends primarily on how fast detection occurs and the time needed to notify public if evacuation s required. Although, monitoring might detect possible eruption but the magnitude of an eruption is still difficult to determine (Crandell and Mullineaux,

Spontaneously erupting/shaking is one problem. No matter what scientists’ predictions read, natural disasters can happen at any moment. If a volcanologist or scientist has a station near the main vent, and the volcano erupts, then there is no way that they are making it down in time to flee the area. For example, since 1980 Mt. St. Helens in

Usually, many earthquakes in succession can warn of a volcanic eruption. Warning systems for volcanoes are based on the possibility of a hazard. The volcanoes are classified based upon the likeliness of an eruption. An active volcanoe is currently erupting or expected to erupt in the near future. Dormant volcanoes are inactive, but they are likely to erupt sometime in the future. An extinct volcanoe is unlikely to erupt again. Even though a volcanoe is not expected to erupt, it could suddenly become active. Volcanoes are unpredictable because almost any of these mountains could erupt again. There is no current way to ensure that a volcanoe will not erupt. To prepare for a volcanoe families should have an emergency supply kit that includes food, first aid kits, and other supplies. Also every family should have a plan to stay safe during any natural disaster. The best way to stay safe from a volcano that is likely to erupt is to evacuate (Anderson, 2012). 260,000 have died within 300 years from different volcanoes and their aftermath (National Geographic, 2016). Volcanic eruptions can be accompanied by other natural disasters including mudflows, flash floods, rock falls, acid rain, and tsunamis. Devastation from a volcanoe can stretch for hundreds of miles (Anderson, 2012). Hence, volcanoes are unpredictable disasters that everyone near a volcanoe should be prepared for, even if it is not expected to erupt

The rising threat of the supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park alarms geologists, who are concerned about the quick refresh of magma in a reservoir, that feeds into the volcano. A new study, which analyzed minerals and fossils left from the last major eruption, shows that another could happen in the near future, with very little warning. Additionally, researchers that study the Yellowstone volcano are unsure of how soon the next eruption will occur, and a prior team suggests more destructive and larger blasts may be more frequent. Scientists believe the volcano has only exploded twice in the past two million years, based on fossil deposits found near the site of Yellowstone.

I become interested in volcanoes and other natural disasters when I was working at a BSA summer camp, studying natural occurrences, rock studies and soil and water studies. I also have a Family member who is a seismologist and meteorologist and I have been to his monitoring center before and it just intrigued me. I have always been interested

Ash plumes and steam rose into the bright blue sky as the underground earthquake shook the land and rattled windows all across the eighteen mile town. As the jet circled the island, in view of lovely beaches and emerald water, looming over this lush paradise was the screaming volcano. Volcanos erupt when the pressure inside of them becomes so great that the magma surges up and forces its way out. An exploding volcano can rip apart a mountain in just seconds, when the eruption is over, a landscape is changed forever. The united states is home to more volcanos than any other country except Indonesia, and Japan. The majority of these volcanoes are in Alaska. Until recently, there was no way to predict when a volcano would blow, although volcanoes give off many warning signs before they erupt. Including smaller earthquakes beneath the volcano, slight inflation, or swelling. The rising magma eventually causes the solid rock to break, sending earthquake signals. Most volcanoes give warning signs beginning weeks or months before they blow (Lindop).

This is only a general overview of the inner workings of volcanoes and their eruptions. For more infomation, visit Volcano World -- The Premier Source of Volcano Info on the Web.

Warning signs of a volcanic eruption can occur up to a month before the eruption itself occurs. These may include earthquakes, cracks in the earth around the base of the mountain, and even the depletion of water in springs and streams. All of these signs, and more, were present up to two weeks before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which began on August 24, AD 79, and covered an estimated 16,000 citizens of Pompeii in more than 25 meters of volcanic ash. The result of this event seemingly could have been avoided, yet this is still considered to be “one of the most catastrophic and infamous eruptions in European history”(Deen 25).

Volcanoes and Earthquakes are two of the most intriguing natural disasters that can occur on earth. Unlike hurricanes and tornadoes, they can awaken at almost any point in time throughout the year. These two natural disasters are also different from others because they occur on the layers of the earth itself. Volcanoes, while large to us, are actually small, conical patches of earth that spurt and ooze hot molten lava from the core, and can destroy areas of land triple their size. Earthquakes, on the other hand, are severe jolts felt on land due to the movement of earths tectonic plates. Some may describe earthquakes as being similar to riding a bike down a flight of stairs. The impact of an earthquakes can take down even the largest buildings and strongest structures. All natural disasters can have damaging effects on land, some more than others, and all can be measured or predicted in different ways. Although earthquakes and volcanoes are similar to each other, the two are still very comparable. A few of these similarities and differences include the cause of their occurrence, and how their occurrence impacts the environment.