Volcanoes Research Paper

Volcanoes--sinister and dangerous creations that wreak havoc and death, demanding fear and reverence from all. But yet, people show none. They have busy lives and don't have time for "silly" things such as destructive volcanic eruptions. On top of that, they have all seen the movies in which people have effortlessly escaped the wrath of magma flow of "the rather gentle and atypical volcanoes in Hawaii." These people willingly, and sometimes unknowingly, make themselves easy prey for volcanic eruptions. But there is one group of people--people who have seen the horror that volcanoes wreak, people who have thoroughly studied these monstrosities, people who want to protect lives from volcanoes--Volcanologists. Volcanoes are absolutely terrifying
What actually causes the majority of deaths is not the lava, but rather the intensely hot gas that rushes down the sides of the volcano at an incredible 60 miles per hour, obliterating anything in its path. "These pyroclastic flows can knock down stone walls 10 feet thick and have killed thousands of people in less than two minutes," says Dr. Stanley Williams. "Well, why don't these victims just run away?", you might ask. "In the movies, people outrun the flows, but in real life the flows desiccate the flesh and fry the lungs of everyone in their path." also quoted by Dr. Williams. On top of the awe-inspiring speed of the deadly volcanic gas, people just don't take heed to
Fortunately, the "Samaritan" volcanologists are taking steps to make the world a safer place from volcanoes, specifically, three steps. A group of volcanologists, including Dr. Chris Newhall, got together to create a video that showed what volcanoes can do to people as well as their property, and is being shown to mayors and other public officials. (The video is so horrifyingly accurate that it is not recommended for kids under the age of 15.) Next, scientists chose 15 "decade volcanoes" to be intently studied, and were specifically chosen because of the dense populations around them. Workshops were held at each site to educate the public on volcanic safety. Also, new scientific instruments have been/are being used to better predict volcanic eruptions. Seismometers are being used to detect faint vibrations from the movement of magma. Tilt meters can tell if magma is beginning to swell up within the volcano. Crack meters can reveal changes in the size of cracks on a volcano's flank. "Surveillance by satellite is costly and is still in its infancy. Nevertheless it offers some of the best future prospects in forecasting volcanic eruptions." (A graphic, "Forecasting a Volcanic Frenzy") Slowly but steadily, progress is being made in the pursuit of volcanic