Are there any type of detectable occurences that happen before an eruption? I have read that radon gas is sometimes emitted such as the occurrence near Mammoth in CA?

rocky Jason

Dear Jason,

Volcanologists use earthquakes, ground deformation and gases to monitor what is happening inside a volcano.

We have answered a few questions in Ask a Volcanologist about monitoring volcanoes. Under topic 3. Studying Volcanoes look at questions 10 , 12 , 13 , and 16 .

I am unfamiliar with radon being emitted by volcanoes. Volcanologists do measure carbon dioxide and helium at Long Valley Caldera, the volcano near Mammoth. The U.S. Geological Survey has a homepage about the volcano that you might find interesting.

Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota 

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