NASA scientists are developing a surprising new way to predict volcanic eruptions — by observing how trees respond from space. Using satellite technology, researchers can detect subtle changes in forests near volcanoes that may signal an upcoming eruption.
Trees may sense volcanoes before humans do
When magma starts to rise beneath the surface, it can heat the ground and release gases. These changes can affect nearby vegetation — sometimes causing trees to grow differently, lose leaves, or even change color. NASA’s satellites, like Landsat and ECOSTRESS, are equipped to detect these small shifts in temperature, moisture, and light reflectance in forests.
These invisible signs can act as early warning signals — sometimes weeks or even months before an eruption occurs.
Nature’s warning system could help save lives
This tree-monitoring approach could be especially useful for remote or poorly monitored volcanoes. Many volcanoes around the world lack enough ground-based sensors, making it hard to know when they might erupt. But forests are almost always nearby — and trees can act like natural detectors of underground activity.
If this method proves reliable, scientists may be able to forecast eruptions earlier and more accurately — giving nearby communities more time to evacuate or prepare.
A growing field of research
NASA has already seen success using tree health to detect climate stress. Now, scientists are applying similar techniques to volcanoes. They are currently testing the method using past eruptions to see if satellite data showed forest changes beforehand.
This eco-surveillance system could soon become a valuable tool in predicting natural disasters — combining nature, space, and technology in a powerful new way.
