10.8


·        Many volcanoes have shown patterns where a series of small events precede a significant eruption.  These patterns are useful to compare, even if they come from different volcanoes.  Patters of activity that follow significant eruptions may also be useful to compare, because recurring patterns may be very likely at this waning stage of activity.  This is a main focus of eruption forecasting and prediction for the future.


       Diagram depicting the eruptive behavior of Merapi on the island of Java, Indonesia from 1986 to 1994 following an explosive eruption in 1986.  It is these types of patterns which can be found immensely useful in the future.