Natural Disasters Essay

“Preventing Disaster: Using Information and Tools to Predict Volcanic Eruptions”

Natural disasters occur regularly on our earth. Natural disasters include, but are not limited to, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. When a natural disaster strikes, it can cause damage and death. Geology is defined as the study of the Earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of the materials, and the processes acting upon them. As an expert in the field of geology, a geologist specializes in the research and study of the earth’s physical characteristics, its structure, and its history. In order for geologist to prevent death and destruction from the aftermath of a natural disaster, she must be able

Studying rocks provides volcanologists with other geological information such as the age of the rocks and, how they were formed. The volcanologists then hypothesize how often the volcano erupts and the type of eruption that may happen in the future. Another tool, a tiltmeter, is used to record the level of volcanic gases by measuring the slightest tilt in the slope of a volcano which may be as a result of a buildup of gases. In addition to the tiltmeter, a spectrometer is used to determine which gas is being released by that vent. These instruments that sniff hydrogen sulfide, carbon, sulfur and other gases can also signal changes in the volcano. In addition to the tiltmeter and spectrometer, volcanologists also use tools such as seismometers and seismographs. A seismometer identifies earthquakes by observing the rise of magma and its movement. As magma moves underground and rises in a volcano, the rocks around it vibrate. This may result in tremors or massive earthquakes. Any shaking of the earth in close proximity to a volcano is a sign that there are some volcanic activity going on, or about to take place. These geologists use ground deformation as a sign of volcanic activity as

It is the work of volcanologists that have allowed people to be able to inhabit these islands, and when to flee these islands. For example, the southern half of Montserrat is occupied by the Soufriere Hills volcano. The Soufriere Hills volcano was formed due to the subduction of the Atlantic plate under the Caribbean plate. The Soufriere volcano was dormant and the sudden and unexpected eruption in 1997 prompted the creation of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. In comparison volcanologists have predicted that there are “19 volcanoes [likely to erupt] in the Eastern Caribbean” (“Volcanoes”). They further broke it down into two categories: those with live volcano centers and those which aren’t volcanic centers, but are in close proximity to the volcanic islands and will be affected secondhand. With those predications, residents of the islands had an idea that they were in good hands and will be safe as a result of volcanologists’ predications. Volcanologists are also using satellites to monitor active