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There are a few ways to predict eruptions. The first method, which is the most widely used, is to study the geographic area of the volcano. Volcanoes often produce small earthquakes followed by a volcanic eruption, as Mount Saint Helens, Washington did in 1980. Volcanologists are studying these and other effects, such as increases in the temperature of the volcano, to find ways of giving warning of a coming eruption. Although there is not much man can do to prevent an eruption, some attempts to reduce the damage caused by lava flows have been successful. Streams of lava have been diverted from a course that threatens to destroy a town by bombing the flow nearer the eruption vent and diverting the fluid lava into another area. Slowing part of a flow by building walls or by cooling the lava with streams of water may be possible in some cases. Back (Uses) | Next (Volcano main page) |