Is Machine Learning Getting Us Closer to Predicting Eruptions?

When Whakaari (White Island) in New Zealand unexpectedly erupted in December 2019, more than 40 tourists found themselves trapped on a small island that was exploding. The hot gases and water, flying rocks and ash killed 21 people during that eruption. This tragedy was a wake-up call for tour operators who would regularly bring people to this restless volcano in the Bay of Plenty. It is a volcano that produces steam-driven explosions that come with little warning, and it is these types of blasts that have killed dozens of people on volcanoes around the world over the past decade.