Volcanologist
A volcanologist is a type of geoscientist who specialises in the study of volcanoes, how they form and how to predict them. A volcanologist does this by collecting samples of both freshly cooled lava from volcanoes, studying the gasses being released from a volcano as well as measuring the seismic activity (tremors and earthquakes) that results from magma moving inside a volcano. Volcanologists also study dormant or extinct volcanoes to get a better understanding of active volcanoes to predict how they will erupt. Volcanologists play a vital role in trying to ensure the safety of people living in regions where active volcanos are present. By better understanding the behaviour and geology of volcanoes, volcanologists, can better predict when and how a volcano will erupt and thus provide earlier warnings to people in the area to evacuate.
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Where to study
Nelson Mandela University
North-West University
Tshwane University of Technology
University of Cape Town
University of Johannesburg
University of Pretoria
University of Stellenbosch
University of the Free State
University of the Western Cape
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University of South Africa
University of KwaZulu-Natal