What is a person who studies volcanoes called?

A volcanologist is a person who studies volcanoes. The primary objective of a volcanologist is to understand how a volcano operates in order to better predict eruptions and save lives.

To become a volcanologist, a person must have a thorough understanding of geology, physics, chemistry and calculus. Seismology, the study of earthquakes, works in combination with volcanology to help predict possible eruptions by monitoring lava flow deep underground. Several islands, including Hawaii, were created by the power of an erupting volcano when the hot magma flowed from the volcano and cooled, turning the lava into a hard surface for life to flourish.