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On planet Earth there are thousands of volcanoes. Considering only those that are active, the figure is around 1,400 volcanoes, but many of them are not visible with the naked eye because they are under the sea. However, Earth is not the only planet in the Solar System to present volcanic activity. In fact, Venus has intense volcanic activity due to the presence of thousands of volcanoes on its surface and Mars has the highest volcanic summit in the entire Solar System. In addition, the satellites also feature volcanoes, as in the case of Jupiter's satellite called Europa.
Such is the need to understand how volcanoes work, that there is a science that is responsible for studying them: volcanology. To learn more about what this science is about, we recommend you read this Green Ecologist article in which we will develop everything about what is volcanology and its objectives.
What is volcanology
Volcanology is a science which is defined as the branch of Geology that studies volcanism in its entirety, that is, the origin, structure and composition of volcanoes, their eruptive history and the phenomena associated with volcanic eruptions. Volcanology also includes the study of geysers, fumaroles and everything that is emitted from the interior of the Earth.
Although volcanology has its own bases and foundations, it is related to other sciences such as seismology, petrology, mineralogy, tectonics and more, which together allow us to understand the integrity of the volcanic events.
Meanwhile, people who study volcanology are called volcanologists. So what is the job of a volcanologist? Volcanologists They are scientists with extensive academic training and, in general terms, their work is based on investigating and knowing in great detail the volcanoes and their activity.
We recommend that you also read about What is geology and its branches.
History of volcanology
Volcanology has arisen possibly, like the other natural sciences, by the need to understand natural phenomena, in this case the volcanic eruptions that occurred during the history of mankind. Therefore, the history of volcanology is a few thousand years old, and as a summary, it can be divided into four stages:
- Arguably, the earliest indications of volcanology began with early civilizations, particularly ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, who linked volcanic eruptions with events of divinity, manifestations of higher beings, religious beliefs, and more.
- Then another stage arises based rather on the observation of the phenomenon and the association between what is observed and beliefs.
- Later, a stage of volcanology based on the scientific method appears, a stage from which multiple theories arose.
- Finally, modern or current volcanology marked by technological advances that allow monitoring volcanoes, analyzing the composition of the gases they emit, among other technologies.
Objectives of volcanology
The general objective of volcanology is, as we mentioned before, understand the entire volcanic phenomenon, from how the volcano originated and what its composition is to what type of eruptions it presents and what phenomena it brings with it, among others. Likewise, there are some specific objectives of volcanology that we will develop below:
- Anticipate possible future eruptions to evacuate the area in time if necessary and to better study the phenomenon.
- Carry out censuses of volcanoes and their types of eruptions.
- Carry out a diagnosis on the vulnerabilities of those populations that live near a volcano.
- Evaluate the composition of magma and lava and all those volcanic products that are expelled during an eruption, that is, what is known as pyroclastic flow.
To learn much more about this interesting topic, we recommend you read these other articles related to volcanology:
- How volcanoes are formed.
- Types of volcanoes.
- Parts of a volcano.
Volcanology instruments
Fortunately, with technological development, a series of instruments have emerged that allow us to detect the moments prior to an eruption, study volcanoes with greater precision and ultimately contribute quality knowledge to volcanology.
There are some instruments that allow predicting the beginning and end of a volcanic eruption, such as inclinometer and altimeter. Both have a complementary role and are placed on the slopes of the volcano. When the magma reaches the magmatic chamber of the volcano it causes pressurization accompanied by the dilation of the rocks. As a result, the volcano swells due to the pressure of the magmatic chamber and the slope of the slopes increases. Once the instruments detect this increase in tilt, the eruption is expected to begin in the short term. On the contrary, the indications that the eruption is about to end are related to a decrease in the slope of the volcano's slope.
For its part, seismographs They are also useful instruments that allow predicting the beginning of the eruption, since they detect the microseisms produced by the violent arrival of magma to the magma chamber.
Other useful instruments for volcanology are satellites, which allow constant monitoring of volcanoes. Also, we can mention the pyrometers, which are used to measure the temperature of gases and lava and, finally, the interferometer with which the dimension of the crater is measured, among many other instruments.
After learning all this about what volcanology is, its objectives, its history and the instruments that are usually used in this science, you can continue to learn more by reading our articles and watching our videos, like the one below.
- Lava flows: what they are and types.
- Lahar: what it is and how it is formed.
- The most dangerous volcanoes in the world.
If you want to read more articles similar to Volcanology: what it is and objectivesWe recommend that you enter our Nature Curiosities category.
