Back in the laboratory, an electron microprobe allows scientists to measure the composition of small rock fragments that have been collected in the field — what minerals and crystals are present and how old they are.
These measurements provide clues about the chemical composition of the volcanic material and allow scientists to identify the type of volcanic material and some information about the processes that helped to form them.
Radiocarbon dating in volcanology is an indirect method of analysis as it cannot be used to date the rocks itself. Instead, it is commonly used to date fossils that are located in the rocks.
Radiocarbon dating relies on the predictable decay of carbon atoms from something that was once living over time. Rocks contain no carbon, but volcanic explosions often trap material such as trees and leaves in the falling ash layer.
These can look like chunks of charcoal in amongst the rock so it takes a trained eye to spot them. Radiocarbon dating can also be used to date the layers either side of the volcanic rock, such as sedimentary material that contains organic deposits. Potassium-argon K-Ar dating is based on the same principle as carbon decay and can be used to date rocks directly. Volcanologists can measure the decay of potassium K to argon Ar that occurs over very long periods of time. In many cases you can email or write individual professors to get more information on the types of research they conduct.
It is important to choose a graduate advisor who participates in research that interests you. This early stage of inquiry into graduate programs is also a good way to make contacts for the future.
Put your interest in volcanoes to good use by choosing a career that augments the work of volcanologists. While volcanologists are carefully trained to monitor volcanoes and conduct scientific studies, they rely on other professionals to make communities resilient to eruptions.
These careers include emergency managers, land-use managers, planners who maintain and exercise community safety plans, and classroom and community educators who work professionally and as volunteers to educate and prepare communities. Park rangers and interpreters manage and interpret volcano landscapes for visitors. Authors, journalists, storytellers, artists, and recreationists can all choose to incorporate volcanoes into their career work.
Skip to main content. Researchers use seismic monitors to track the many small tremors that occur around a volcano. Modern seismometers can record the intensity, escalation, and epicenters of earthquakes. In Hawaii, researchers have more than 60 seismic monitoring stations on the Big Island alone. They help researchers predict where lava flows might travel — or predict the path of the incredibly dangerous steaming mudslides produced by some volcanoes.
Local officials can then use this information to evacuate threatened areas in the event of an eruption. Skip to main content Skip to footer site map.
Map it in three dimensions: A 3-D map of all the nooks and crannies on the surface of a volcano can help scientists make predictions about where the lava will flow and who is most in danger in the event of an eruption. HT: Bad Astronomy. Sarah Zielinski is an award-winning science writer and editor.
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