Predicting and preventing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Lasers:

These are used to detect plate movement.

Seismometer:

Picks up vibrations in the Earth's crust. An increase in vibrations may lead to a possible earthquake.

Radon gas:

Escapes from cracks in the Earth's crust. A sudden increase may suggest an earthquake.

Animal behaviour:

Some people believe that they sense earthquakes before they happen. Changes in behaviour may indicate an earthquake.

Monitoring water levels:

Changes in levels may indicate a shift in the rocks below a lake or river.

Monitoring electrical charges:

There is evidence that foreshocks, (small tremors) and electrical discharges increase before an earthquake.

Using GPS technology:

This checks whether the volcano is bulging as a result of rising magma.

Gas sampling (composition):

Changes in gas composition indicate the activity levels of the gas underground.

Geothermal monitoring from space:

This records changes in heat as magma approaches the surface.

Seismic monitoring:

This allows scientists to "listen" to the rising blobs of magma as they force their way upwards and cause small earthquakes.

Historical records:

Records of past volcanic eruptions allow scientists to see if there is a regular pattern to the eruption.

• Educating local resisdants on how to prepare and react. Having an emergency kit ready with a torch, bottled water, first aid kit and tinned food.

• Rubberised foundations on buildings allow the building to absorb the shock

• Planning regulations determine how high buildings can be

• Counter weights (weights which sway in the opposite direction to the building) return buildings to an upright position

• Shutters cover windows which might shatter

• Designing buildings to withstand minor earthquakes by having flexible steel frames, which sway as the ground moves

• Spraying the lava to cool it down, making it solidify and stop flowing

• Putting concrete or rock barriers in the path of the lava to divert it away from villages

• Setting off explosions to divert the lava

• Digging ditches to divert the flows away from areas of risk