Question

You’re the chief volcanologist for the US Geological Survey (USGS), based in Sacramento, California. At 10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday, you receive a report from a seismologist at the USGS in Pasadena, California, saying that there has been a sudden increase in the number of small earthquakes in the vicinity of Mt Shasta, California. You have two technicians available, access to some monitoring equipment, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle. At noon, you meet with your technicians and a couple of other geologists. By the end of the day, you need to have a plan to implement, starting tomorrow morning, and a statement to release to the press. What should your first day’s fieldwork include? What should you say later today in your press release?

Answer 1

The increase in the frequency of earthquakes could indicate the possibility of a volcanic eruption.

It is therefore important to monitor the volcanic mountain in order to determine whether or not this mountain is going to erupt. The eruption of volcano is often preceded by fumaroles and hotsprings, and the increase in the emission of gasses from fissures and secondary vents along the side of the mountain could be an indication of an impending eruption. It is therefore important to check for these signs around the mountain during the field trip.

Another thing to check for is if there is any increase in temperature along the main vent, or if there has been an increase in the emission of gases.

These preliminary tests can be used to successfully predict whether or not an eruption is impending. If there is more time, seismic surveys can be conducted to get a picture of the subsurface to find if there has been movement of magma.

Based on the results, if an eruption is inevitable, evacuation plans should be mentioned in the press release and the approximate time remaining till the eruption. This will help save lives and prevent panic.