Several volcanoes in the United States could be heading toward a dangerous period of activity, according to geophysicist Stefan Burns, who has warned that changes deep beneath the ground may offer clues about where an eruption could happen next. Burns has been closely tracking volcanic and seismic activity across the country and has highlighted several volcanoes that he believes deserve particular attention.
His warnings have sparked concern online, especially because some of the volcanoes he discusses are among the most closely monitored systems in the US. However, Burns is not claiming that every volcano he has discussed is about to erupt. The US is home to dozens of potentially active volcanoes, stretching from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to Hawaii and California.
Burns has repeatedly warned his followers to pay attention to changes in seismic activity and other unusual signals around volcanic systems. Volcanoes can sometimes remain quiet for decades or even centuries before becoming active again, making early warning signs particularly important. At the same time, predicting exactly when a volcano will erupt remains extremely difficult.
Scientists generally monitor earthquake activity, ground movement, volcanic gases and changes in heat before declaring that an eruption may be approaching. That has not stopped Burns' warnings from gaining attention, with his latest assessments raising a bigger question: are America's volcanoes entering a more active period? There is currently no official US government warning that a major catastrophic eruption is imminent. However, Burns believes the warning signs deserve attention and with millions of Americans living near active or potentially active volcanic areas, any significant change could have serious consequences.