Predicting Problems
| Seismology is the science of earthquakes. Seismologists use a tool called a seismograph to measure the strength and location of earth movement. Using seismographs and other technologies scientists are learning more about predicting where and when earthquakes and volcanoes will happen. |
Photo courtesy of USGS. |
What should you do in the event of an earthquake?
You've probably had earthquake drills at school. In an actual earthquake, crawl under a table or your desk and hold on. This is to shelter you from falling material. Stay in place even after the quake stops until you are told it is safe to move about.
Predicting a volcano eruption
Just before a volcano erupts, the faults around a volcano move more than usual. By using seismographs and other technology to measure the movement, scientists can warn people that the volcano could erupt. The predictions aren't perfect. In January 1993 Galeras, a volcano in Columbia, erupted while a group of volcano experts were on top of it. Four scientists and five tourists were killed. The scientists knew that the volcano was active but didn't know when it would erupt.
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Westbroek |
