Technological developments towards scientific understanding of volcanoes in the Asia-Pacific region
Centuries ago, people had thought of volcanoes as the house of Vulcan, the blacksmith of the Roman gods. It was believed that the mouth of the volcanoes are his forge’s chimney, and the eruptions and lava was him at work in the forge. ( USGS, 2016 ) As years passes, people grew to understand through scientific theories that that was not in fact the case. Technological advancements also provide us further reasonings.
The Asia-Pacific region is one of the most geologically unstable regions on Earth due to it being a junction for three continental plates ( Australian, Eurasian, Pacific ) . This region also makes up about half of the Ring of Fire. It has a high amount of active ocean trenches, ocean ridges, and volcanism. Even though seismic activity is quite moment, volcanism accounts for majority of Asia-Pacific region’s instability. Statistics from skwirk shows that “During the 1990s, there are over 20 volcanic eruption in the region, and Indonesia alone has 130 active volcanoes.” ( skwirk.com, )
Krakatau’s eruption in 1883 was one of the volcanic events from the 19th century that was most known to public. During then, while people were slightly aware, they just did not understand volcanoes enough to make much about it. And as we entered the 20th century, people was more concerned about WWI and WWII than anything else. However a few notable individuals such as Thomas A. Jaggar established an observatory, made observations on specific volcanoes and led expeditions to Asia, Alaska, and America. A few other countries such as Italy. France, and Dutch-led Indonesia followed on. During then, it was more about understanding volcanoes instead of monitoring them. ( naturalhazardscience.oxforde.com, 2016 )
But during the late 20th century, technology such as satellite imagery, GPS, and COSPECS were invented, which helped towards the research and prevention of volcanism.
Volcanologist had often found it easier to see patterns in monitoring data after an eruption, instead of before. However, progress was made over years. A highlight is of the lesson and research at the Kilauea volcano which was then applied and modified at Mt St. Helens before and during in eruption sequence in 1980s. ( volcanoworld.wordpress.com, 2009 )
The Asia-Pacific region is one of the most geologically unstable regions on Earth due to it being a junction for three continental plates ( Australian, Eurasian, Pacific ) . This region also makes up about half of the Ring of Fire. It has a high amount of active ocean trenches, ocean ridges, and volcanism. Even though seismic activity is quite moment, volcanism accounts for majority of Asia-Pacific region’s instability. Statistics from skwirk shows that “During the 1990s, there are over 20 volcanic eruption in the region, and Indonesia alone has 130 active volcanoes.” ( skwirk.com, )
Krakatau’s eruption in 1883 was one of the volcanic events from the 19th century that was most known to public. During then, while people were slightly aware, they just did not understand volcanoes enough to make much about it. And as we entered the 20th century, people was more concerned about WWI and WWII than anything else. However a few notable individuals such as Thomas A. Jaggar established an observatory, made observations on specific volcanoes and led expeditions to Asia, Alaska, and America. A few other countries such as Italy. France, and Dutch-led Indonesia followed on. During then, it was more about understanding volcanoes instead of monitoring them. ( naturalhazardscience.oxforde.com, 2016 )
But during the late 20th century, technology such as satellite imagery, GPS, and COSPECS were invented, which helped towards the research and prevention of volcanism.
Volcanologist had often found it easier to see patterns in monitoring data after an eruption, instead of before. However, progress was made over years. A highlight is of the lesson and research at the Kilauea volcano which was then applied and modified at Mt St. Helens before and during in eruption sequence in 1980s. ( volcanoworld.wordpress.com, 2009 )
Before an eruption, there would often be warning signs present. ( learner.org, 2016 )
- Magma would move into the area beneath the volcano to collect in the magma chamber
- Movement of magma produces seismicity
- Magma gathering causes slight swelling of the volcano’s slopes
- Temperatures around the volcano would rise as activity increases
- When it goes close to the surface, gas would be released
- Gases released near the volcanoes would increase
Technology advancements to help prediction of volcanoes - ( volcano.oregonstate.edu, 2016 )
There are three main integrated approach to monitor active volcanoes : Seismic monitoring, gas monitoring, and deformation studies.
Seismographs : Detect small earthquakes
Tiltmeters / Geodimeters / Electronic Distance Measurement ( EDM ) : Measure subtle swelling of a volcano
Correlation spectrometers ( COSPECS ) : Measure amounts of sulfur dioxide
EM-31 / VLF : Detect how much lava is moving underground
Thermal imaging / Satellite : Detect heat and movement of magma
There are three main integrated approach to monitor active volcanoes : Seismic monitoring, gas monitoring, and deformation studies.
Seismographs : Detect small earthquakes
Tiltmeters / Geodimeters / Electronic Distance Measurement ( EDM ) : Measure subtle swelling of a volcano
Correlation spectrometers ( COSPECS ) : Measure amounts of sulfur dioxide
EM-31 / VLF : Detect how much lava is moving underground
Thermal imaging / Satellite : Detect heat and movement of magma
Satellites are also used to monitor active volcanoes. Volcanologist collects and analyze images of volcanic plumes from various eruptions to recognize the progression of the plume’s journey through the atmosphere. They could also track a path of a certain volcanic plume using AVHRR weather satellites, or use LANDSAT multispectral satellites to study the deposits of eruptions. The information gathered offers important clues on the nature of future eruptions. GPS also proves as a useful tool to monitor small changes ( mm / cm ) of the deformation at volcanoes.
Recent studies shows that CO2 is one of the gases emitted from volcanoes to first leaves magma. Volcanologist are currently working with engineers who designed COSPEC to design a tool to measure CO2 emitted from the volcanoes. ( volcanoworld.wordpress.com, 2009 )
The new technology had increased understanding of volcanoes in Asia-Pacific. A particular case study is that volcanologists were able to prepare for a possible eruption from Mount Paektu due to data such as GPS measurements showing ground deformations, accompanied by increased gas emissions measured by COSPECS, and seismic rumbles. ( New Scientist, 2016 )
The Asia-Pacific region are able to understand more about the causes of volcanism, learn how it could be predicted, and also how damage could be lessened through the technology and scientific reasonings development throughout the years. Compared with the Krakatau eruption 133 years ago, volcanologists had been able to understand the Krakatau eruption in 2014 more.
Nowadays, with earth-observing satellites, speedy geophysical technology, instant methods of communication, diverse scientific teams, data and research from volcano studies, it is safe to say that we are developing the ability to predict volcanic eruptions, and minimize volcanic risk.
Recent studies shows that CO2 is one of the gases emitted from volcanoes to first leaves magma. Volcanologist are currently working with engineers who designed COSPEC to design a tool to measure CO2 emitted from the volcanoes. ( volcanoworld.wordpress.com, 2009 )
The new technology had increased understanding of volcanoes in Asia-Pacific. A particular case study is that volcanologists were able to prepare for a possible eruption from Mount Paektu due to data such as GPS measurements showing ground deformations, accompanied by increased gas emissions measured by COSPECS, and seismic rumbles. ( New Scientist, 2016 )
The Asia-Pacific region are able to understand more about the causes of volcanism, learn how it could be predicted, and also how damage could be lessened through the technology and scientific reasonings development throughout the years. Compared with the Krakatau eruption 133 years ago, volcanologists had been able to understand the Krakatau eruption in 2014 more.
Nowadays, with earth-observing satellites, speedy geophysical technology, instant methods of communication, diverse scientific teams, data and research from volcano studies, it is safe to say that we are developing the ability to predict volcanic eruptions, and minimize volcanic risk.