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How to Determine Whether a Volcano Will Be Violent or Quiescent

The science of predicting volcanic eruptions is not yet concrete. In fact, it is almost impossible to tell exactly when an active volcano will erupt. An active volcano is one that has erupted in the last several years. These eruptions are often violent and destructive. A dormant volcano, or a quiescent volcano, is one that has not erupted for many, often hundreds of years. Though there are ways and procedures used to tell if a volcano is active or dormant, even dormant volcanoes can erupt without warning.

Things You'll Need

Measuring equipment
Heat-retardant gear
Seismograph

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the location of a volcano. Find out its size and the size of its neighboring volcanoes if there are any. Check for heavy erosion near the volcano, which may mean that the volcano is already active and may erupt violently at any time.
- 2
  Collect and examine deposits of lava, mud and ash from near the volcano to determine whether the volcano has erupted recently. Study the volcano and record any patterns you may notice. Patterns include the time between mudflows and lava flows, if any. This will help you to predict the volcano's routine and to determine whether it will erupt soon.
- 3
  Place seismic recorders near the volcano. Increased seismic activity will predict the eruption of the volcano, meaning that it is active. If the seismic activity is minimal or nonexistent, the volcano may be dormant. Earthquakes are caused by the increased flow of magma to the volcano's mouth.
- 4
  Watch for steam blasts from the volcano; they signify that it is about to erupt, probably within minutes. Also, check for changes in temperature of the springs and earth near the volcano. Magma may heat these formations as it flows to the volcano in search of an outlet.

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