Satellite imaging data may help predict volcanic eruptions, say scientists. Researchers from the University of Hawaii used imaging data from an instrument on a NASA satellite and studied volcanic activity in two eruptions, Merapi and Semeru, on the Indonesian island of Java.

They found that volcanic activity increased in those regions following a local earthquake in May 2006 that measured 6.4 on the Richter scale. The flare up began three days after the earthquake and lasted for nine days.

“We found clear evidence that the earthquake caused both volcanoes to release greater amounts of heat, and lava emission surged to two to three times higher than prior to the tremor,” researcher Andrew Harris said. The researchers believe that the changes in eruption were due to seismic waves from the earthquake travelling to the area around the volcano and triggering an increased flow of molten rock (when rock melts and turns into a liquid). They say the work shows that satellite imaging could play a predictive role in eruptions, ultimately alerting people living near them.