Volcanoes: observations and impact

Clifford Thurber; Stephanie G. Prejean

doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_731

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Volcanoes: observations and impact

Clifford Thurber·Stephanie G. Prejean

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Abstract

Volcanoes are critical geologic hazards that challenge our ability to make long-term forecasts of their eruptive behaviors. They also have direct and indirect impacts on human lives and society. As is the case with many geologic phenomena, the time scales over which volcanoes evolve greatly exceed that of a human lifetime. On the other hand, the time scale over which a volcano can move from inactivity to eruption can be rather short: months, weeks, days, and even hours. Thus, scientific study and monitoring of volcanoes is essential to mitigate risk. There are thousands of volcanoes on Earth, and it is impractical to study and implement ground-based monitoring at them all. Fortunately, there are other effective means for volcano monitoring , including increasing capabilities for satellite-based technologies.

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Clifford Thurber, Stephanie G. Prejean. 2012. Volcanoes: observations and impact. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_731

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