Once volcanoes start to erupt, nobody can stop them.
But by studying them, we can lessen the damage. Information about a volcano’s past tells scientists how it may act in the future. Volcanologists study volcanoes. They look at old lava flows, ash layers, and other clues. They make a history of eruptions over millions of years.
Volcanologists also study the daily life of volcanoes. That helps them find the warning signs of new eruptions. Some signs are easy to see. Those include more ash or fumes coming from the crater. Other signs, like little earthquakes, are so small that only special instruments can notice them. These methods are not perfect, but they are getting better. And it beats just guessing!
