Do scientists use evidence to predict that volcanoes will erupt?

Answer 1

Before a volcano erupts, magma (molten rock) rises towards the surface, breaking rock en route. As more pushes up, the rocks around it vibrate. This results in earthquakes that can sometimes cause damage to buildings but are nothing like the big tectonic quakes seen on the west coast of the US or recently in Turkey.

Any sudden change in quake activity around an active volcano will, hopefully, give scientists enough time to sound warnings.

The magma also causes ground deformation. "As magma rises into a volcano, it has to make space for itself and that means that the ground has to swell. Thus scientists set up stations on the volcano which, using sophisticated GPS recording receivers, allows them to monitor the ground deformation on and around the the volcano.

Any changes in position - of the order of tens of centimeters - could mean the onset of an eruption.

Many volcanoes have craters at their summits but it is usually too dangerous to put instruments there. However one can use satellite imagery to measure infrared radiation, and look for any sudden changes in heat activity.

Depending on the volcano, scientists will get anything from several months to a few days notice of an eruption using this technique.

The other feature of volcanoes that can be used to predict eruptions is to monitor their gas emissions. The magma coming up in the volcano is rich in a variety of cases, particularly sulfur dioxide. This can be measured in air above the crater using lasers.

A sudden increase in gas emissions can indicate an imminent eruption.

In theory, then, eruptions shouldn't cause casualties. But this always depends on the evacuation plans for danger areas. Before Vesuvius erupts again, for example, 600,000 people will have to be evacuated, possibly at only a couple of weeks' notice.

Answer 2

Scientists who study volcanos are called volcanologists. These scientists have placed seisometers across the world in every country, but especially around the "Ring of Fire", an area extending along the Pacific coastline from Asia to the USA and includes part of South America and the Carribean.

Seisometers record shifts in the earth, registering even tiny movements from beneath the surface. Earthquakes often precede or follow volcanic eruptions.

Scientists also study particular volcanoes, including the crust (edge), and any active dust clouds. Some volcanos can remain "active" for many years before finally having a large eruption.

Answer 3

Kinda-sorta.

It's a bit like weather reports, they can tell what's probable, and they can say if the risk in increasing or decreasing, but they can never give an exact date.

Or an exact estimate of the force and duration of the eruption.
No, but they try because it can save lives
Not really. Although scientists can often tell if a volcano will erupt relatively soon, they can't tell when it will occur until it actually happens.

Answer 4

yes they can they have a device to measure it they keep observing them through satellites too

Answer 5

No they can't predict volcanos but yes extinct volcanos can come back that proves that they can't predict volcanos

Answer 6

There is no way to predict an eruption. Volcanos are watched and many have instruments on them to measure movement and activity.

Answer 7

yes they can