Studying volcanoes can be dangerous.  In the 1990's, for example, a dozen scientists were killed in two separate accidents while studying volcanoes.  Clearly, improving our ability to predict the likelihood of volcanic eruptions could save lives.

Some volcanoes thought to be long dormant are now showing signs of life.  Fortunately, we no longer need to go to the volcano’s rim to confirm this.  NASA’s Terra satellite is equipped with an Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer instrument called Aster.  New images from Aster indicate that two previously dormant volcanoes are now showing signs of activity.  These volcanoes are located in the belt called ‘the ring of fire’ around the Pacific Ocean.

In January 2002, satellite thermal images showed new hot spots of volcanic activity in northern Chile.  In addition, thousands of miles away, changes were detected near one of the long dormant Three Sisters volcanoes in the Oregon Cascade Mountains.  Over the last six years, the ground has risen there approximately ten centimetres.  This is indicative of a slow flow of underground lava in the region.

So next time you want to explore a volcano, it might be wise to first let Aster check it out for potential activity before you venture too close.

MOVING BEYOND MATTER
by Debbie Hughes

It’s amazing how volcanoes which lie dormant for years can suddenly come back to life.  Some give indications over a long time that lava is brewing.  This provides geologists and seismologists opportunities to evaluate the progress.  Local authorities have time to issue warnings to the inhabitants of the area. 

There are other cases in which volcanoes give little warning of their return to life.  They quickly become active and ready to explode.  Everyone, it seems, is caught by surprise.

In our own life we sometimes experience personal sleeping volcanoes.  Perhaps some ancient, painful incident has been put to rest, only to return years later. 

Unresolved trauma, subterranean feelings of anger or rejection, or the deep-seated pain of guilt can spring to life in various ways.  Although the process of coming to terms with these difficult issues is itself painful, the alternatives also exact a toll.  It depends on which price one chooses to pay.

Living in a world which is not as it was meant to be brings pain of various kinds. And no one is immune - people just experience different quantities or different types of pain.

Pain can be a warning sign that something is wrong.  In this way, pain is actually our ally because it draws our attention to an area in need of care.  This is true on both a physical level as well as a relational one.  There is disharmony, dysfunction.  And in response, we seek ways to minimize the discomfort or eliminate it altogether.

For people who are sensitive to the spiritual dimension in life, there is a recognition of spiritual disharmony, distress and dysfunction.  This pain can actually be healthy if it motivates us to search for spiritual remedies. Take time today to consider how God might be using the stressful circumstances in your life to get your attention.