What tools do Volcanologists use to study volcanoes?
Photograph of a tiltmeter courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey. Volcanologists use many different kinds of tools including instruments that detect and record earthquakes (seismometers and seimographs), instruments that measure ground deformation (EDM, Leveling, GPS, tilt), instruments that detect and measure volcanic gases (COSPEC), instruments that determine how much lava is moving underground (VLF, EM-31), video and still cameras, infrared cameras and cameras that work remotely. This is by no means a complete list, volcanologists will use whatever tool they can to help them understand volcanoes. See if you can think of something you use in everyday life that would help you learn about an active volcano! Volcano Monitoring Techniques has more information about monitoring volcanoes.
