What does Volcanology Mean ?

Abstract

Historic backgrounds of the study of volcanic phenomena are largely concentrated to its geological features. Recent accumulation of the knowledge about the structure of the crust and the upper mantle of the earth and geophysical observations at volcanoes in manifold ways have made Volcanology in great advance. Four important and fundamental problems in Volcanology are discussed from geophysical point of view. They are 1) source of volcnic heat, 2) generation of primary magma, 3) roots of volcanoes and 4) prediction of volcanic eruption. Further research items to be pursued were listed. It is stressed that Volcanology should be cooperatively studied from geophysical, geological and geochemical points of view.