Volcanology

A volcanologist sampling lava using a rock hammer and a bucket of water A **volcanologist** is a person who studies the formation of volcanoes, and their current and historic eruptions. Volcanologists frequently visit volcanoes, especially active ones, to observe [|volcanic eruptions], collect eruptive products including [|tephra] (such as [|ash] or [|pumice]), [|rock] and [|lava] samples. One major focus of enquiry is the prediction of eruptions; there is currently no accurate way to do this, but predicting eruptions, like predicting earthquakes, could save many lives.
 * Volcanology** (also spelled **vulcanology**) is the study of [|volcanoes], [|lava], [|magma], and related [|geological], [|geophysical] and [|geochemical] phenomena. The term //volcanology// is derived from the [|Latin] word //[|vulcan]//. Vulcan was the ancient [|Roman god] of fire.