While it is important to study individual lava flows, geologists also need to look at volcanoes on a larger scale. To do that they need to use remote sensing from airplanes or satellites. Remote sensing allows geologists to measure temperatures of whole lava flows and lava lakes. It allows them to determine how much lava an eruption added to the land.
Scientists can even estimate how much magma is feeding an eruption.
Loihi is the youngest of Hawaii's volcanoes. Although scientists can use submersibles to collect samples of Loihi, a lot of reserarch is done remotely. Using remote sensing we can see the shape of Loihi, measure earthquakes, and monitor the sounds of eruptions and landslides. Meet the Scientists Scott Rowland studies volcanoes both in Hawaii and all over the world using satellites. He has seen some amazing sights while on Kilauea.