Monitoring network installation at Pagan Volcano

Pagan Volcano is the largest and one of the most active volcanoes in the Northern Mariana Islands. Prior to 2013, the volcano was not monitored with any ground-based instruments, so activity was observed only by satellite or by the few island inhabitants. Although geographically remote, eruptions from Pagan can threaten international air traffic. A collaborative effort by the USGS, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Southern Methodist University installed seismic network, infrasound equipment and webcams to monitor activity and provide the necessary warnings.