In the simplest terms, a volcano is a rupture in the Earth's crust which forces out volcanic ash and lava. The world has many volcanoes, some of which are active and others are dormant, but throughout history, this force of nature and resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, as well as animals. Volcanologists are the scientists who study these geological features.
Volcanologists study volcanoes for many reasons, but one of the primary goals of volcanology is our desire to predict volcanic eruptions. This, of course, has the potential to save many lives. While volcanologists can measure seismic activity and the levels of certain gases, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact time at which a volcano will erupt or the extent of the eruption.
Records have it that more than 25,000 lives have already been lost because of volcanic eruptions for the past 50 years. The most number of people killed reached more than 22,000 when Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia erupted and it is considered as the most catastrophic of volcanic events. As for the United States, the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 may be the most destructive with 57 people killed and millions of dollars of damages.
Several different tools are used by volcanologists in their studies. One such important tool is the clinometers or inclinometer which is actually a tilt meter. What a clinometer does is measure the slope's angles. Especially constructed for measuring tiny changes in cases of horizontal levels - this is what the tilt meter is. Extremely small changes can be measured accurately by this device thus helping scientists to record volcanic changes. To measure seismic waves, volcanologists depend on the tool called seismometers.
Seismic activity is an obvious occurrence prior any volcanic eruption. Different gases are also released which volcanologists measure in terms of their varying levels using special devices. One such device is a correlation spectrometer and this one is meant to measure the levels of sulfur dioxide. Know that the rise in the level of this particular type of gas surrounding a volcano is significant sign that an eruption is possible.
When volcanologists first begin studying a volcano, they use an array of surveying tools, such as theodolites and other optical instruments. After a thorough survey has been completed, they will begin collecting rock samples as the rocks near a volcano provide a great deal of historical prospective about the area. With all of the high-tech equipment used today, it might surprise you to note that a rock hammer is still used today to help volcanologists collect these rocks.
Volcanologists study volcanoes for many reasons, but one of the primary goals of volcanology is our desire to predict volcanic eruptions. This, of course, has the potential to save many lives. While volcanologists can measure seismic activity and the levels of certain gases, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact time at which a volcano will erupt or the extent of the eruption.
Records have it that more than 25,000 lives have already been lost because of volcanic eruptions for the past 50 years. The most number of people killed reached more than 22,000 when Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia erupted and it is considered as the most catastrophic of volcanic events. As for the United States, the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 may be the most destructive with 57 people killed and millions of dollars of damages.
Several different tools are used by volcanologists in their studies. One such important tool is the clinometers or inclinometer which is actually a tilt meter. What a clinometer does is measure the slope's angles. Especially constructed for measuring tiny changes in cases of horizontal levels - this is what the tilt meter is. Extremely small changes can be measured accurately by this device thus helping scientists to record volcanic changes. To measure seismic waves, volcanologists depend on the tool called seismometers.
Seismic activity is an obvious occurrence prior any volcanic eruption. Different gases are also released which volcanologists measure in terms of their varying levels using special devices. One such device is a correlation spectrometer and this one is meant to measure the levels of sulfur dioxide. Know that the rise in the level of this particular type of gas surrounding a volcano is significant sign that an eruption is possible.
When volcanologists first begin studying a volcano, they use an array of surveying tools, such as theodolites and other optical instruments. After a thorough survey has been completed, they will begin collecting rock samples as the rocks near a volcano provide a great deal of historical prospective about the area. With all of the high-tech equipment used today, it might surprise you to note that a rock hammer is still used today to help volcanologists collect these rocks.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves blogging about precision scientific instruments. To get more information about surveying instruments like an electronic protractor, or to find other alignment instruments, check out the Warren Knight site now.
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