For the first time ever, research has shown that seismic signals can be used to track pyroclastic flows from volcanic eruptions
A pyroclastic flow is a fast moving surge of gas and rock, and up until now the flow hasn't been able to be predicted.
They're really dangerous and are responsible for over half of all volcano related deaths - including the 22 people killed due to the 2019 Whakaari White Island eruption
Mathematics and Statistics Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, Dr Leighton Watson is behind the breakthrough, he speaks to Jesse.
Steam billowing from Tongariro after the eruption. Photo: RNZ
