Is studying a volcano a dangerous job?
Studying volcanoes is sometimes dangerous, but not usually.
Volcanologists take lots of precautions when they are working around
active volcanoes, and if there is any chance that the activity might get
violent they usually leave. Unfortunately sometimes the activity changes
quickly and there is little or no warning. That's why some of the
requirements for working around activity incluses wearing helmets and
staying in radio contact with a base station that is monitoring seismic
activity.
The past few years have been particularly tragic for
volcanologists and we have lost a number of friends. Usually though, the
most dangerous part of working on a volcano is driving on, and working
along, windy mountain roads.
Sincerely,
Scott Rowland, University of Hawaii
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