In addition, volcanic ash can travel enormous distances. An eruption 600,000 years ago at Yellowstone deposited ash all the way to Mississippi. Geologists say Yellowstone may be overdue for a repeat performance. Magma, either in the form of slow-moving lava or more volatile ash, is nature's ideal fertilizer. Nevertheless, many volcanoes are in relatively remote or poorly developed areas lacking in infrastructure.
Technological deficiencies discourage sophisticated monitoring.
Communications deficiencies retard warning times. Transportation deficiencies slow evacuations. So, Dixon's system seeks to bring space-age monitoring to some of these areas, along with longer lead times for evacuations. Only recently has the combination of the global positioning satellites and development of more cost-effective sensors made this possible. Initial results have been very promising, according to geologists.