The first question I ask myself is “Will the volcano be active?” Before setting out on a volcano trip I always find out all I can about recent and past activity, whether or not the volcano is monitored on a sporadic, frequent, or continuous basis and, for remote locations, if there have been recent reports from visitors or locals about signs of activity. The current level of activity and the likelihood of an eruption happening are extremely important factors to consider before deciding to set out for a particular volcano. Some volcanoes are best left alone while erupting but many others are disappointing if they are quiet. Non-experts can access much of the necessary information to make a go/no-go decision. However, some background knowledge about volcano monitoring is necessary to make sense of all the information.

Can volcanic eruptions be forecasted?

The successful forecasting of eruptions is one of the most important goals of volcanology, but it is not an easy one to achieve. The key factors are to understand how volcanoes erupt, to know a volcano's long-term pattern of behavior, and to practice volcano monitoring by a variety of means.