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Before a Volcano "erupts" the mountain and surrounding areas will experience seismic activity (Earthquakes) for hours, days, weeks and even months before the initial eruption. Also Vulcanologist monitor gas emissions from the volcano to see if there is a build up gas. And of course there many be some steam/smoke coming from the volcano (Does not have to be from the cone of the volcano, can be from vents on the side or further down the volcano!) In the case of Mt St Helens - A "DOME" appeared on the side of the mountain, this was a build up of Magma further down the mountain slope in which grew larger by the day until the initial and catastrophic eruption.

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16y ago

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