Doctor’s Warn Against Using ‘My AI’ for Health Support

Snapchat is among the first of popular social media apps to incorporate emerging artificial intelligence (AI) software directly into user interface. The AI feature acts as a chatbot allowing users to ask questions and communicate for advice, planning trips, recipes, and trivia games. However, as the feature is gradually gaining more popularity and scope with new users, an alarming number of teens have begun to turn to the AI chatbot for mental health support, which doctors caution against. 

Many people have questions on the validity, safety, and scope of artificial intelligence invading day-to-day lives. The technology has observed rapid incorporations into mainstream media, employment tasks, and daily utilization over the last decade. As artificial intelligence continues to develop it also raises questions about its utility and user safety. Doctors are beginning to dissect the full potential of AI and are currently in discussions exploring associated benefits and risks. 

What is Artificial Intelligence?

The basic definition of AI is the scientific engineering of intelligent machines that expands beyond computers' ability to understand to bridge the gap between biological observance and human intelligence. Artificial Intelligence inside human technology has been a topic of interest since the 1950s, and has continued to be refined and implemented over the past 70 years. 

The simplest form of AI seeks to combine robust amounts of data enabling a program to engage in problem solving, without human interference. AI algorithms are created to synthesize datasets using machine and deep learning protocols that output predictions and classifications. 

Deep Learning

  • Comprised of neural networks

  • Predominantly automated extraction from datasets

  • “Scalable machine learning”

  • AI determines results between data inputs and outputs

Machine Learning

  • Requires human intervention or facilitation to extract entire datasets

  • Restricted to smaller datasets

  • Human observes determine results between data inputs and outputs

A variety of different applications for AI has been developing incorporating both factors of algorithm learning. Some of the most common systems implementing AI include speech recognition, customer service, computer vision, recommendation engines, and automated stock trading. Many aspects of society are beginning to rely on artificial intelligence features to facilitate daily tasks and communications, gradually invading people’s own personal data and online activities. 

The applications of artificial intelligence are continually expanding and recent developments have spurred many doctors into researching potential uses related to patient care as the technology is already aiding X Rays, digital imaging, and hospital management.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Millions of users across the country are familiar with some form of artificial intelligence in their life, often acting as rollout testers as companies rush to create competitive products for users. The rapid distribution across the internet has made accessing AI tools incredibly easy for average users. These tools are most often being used to develop medical diagnoses, writing assignments, software installation, and so many other tasks. 

Critics of the technology argue large spearheading companies like Microsoft and Google have failed to completely test the safety and validity of the new tools before distributing to the public. Artificial Intelligence has already raised concerns over employment security, privacy violations, misinformation campaigns, and identity theft as even President Biden has advocated for ensuring AI’s safety, and addressing aforementioned risks. Officials agree the technology has the potential to significantly improve lives in medical settings, but only after it can meet new legal responsibility regulations. President Biden and his administration have released an AI Bill of Rights and risk management framework to begin the facilitation of the technology on its pathway to medical utility. 

AI Bill of Rights: To address urgent challenges surrounding artificial intelligence by describing five core protections each American is to be entitled.

  1. Safe and Effective Systems

    1. Users should be protected from unsafe and ineffective systems. 

  2. Algorithmic Discrimination Protections

    1. Users should not be subjected to discriminations by algorithms

    2. Systems should be used and designed in an equitable manner

  3. Data Privacy

    1. Users should be protected from abusive data practices by installing protections and agency control governing how data is used and stored. 

  4. Notice and Explanation

    1. Users must be alerted to the automated system being used and understand its contributions to its uses. 

  5. Alternative Options

    1. Users must have an opt out option, to be redirected to a person that can consider and remedy problems manually. 

Artificial Intelligence Meets Mental Health

Many doctors agree there are a multitude of uses and potential benefits for supporting mental well being with artificial intelligence, most notably addressing the severe nationwide shortage of active providers. Technological solutions based on AI usage would allow greater accessibility to health professionals by patients, and facilitate ongoing daily treatment plans. Doctor Zachary Grinder, a psychological consultant in California even described how the technology could be used to identify concerning patterns of language and online behavior indicative of underlying mental health conditions. He also described how direct access to mental health communications can normalize the condition and get people connected with appropriate services. 

The caveat to the potential benefits is the interpersonal dependency AI interactions may inadvertently cause in a patient’s life. As the tools continue to advance and expand user applications, some users may begin to rely too heavily on their relationship with the artificial intelligence rather than human connections. Early users to tools released on several media platforms have already described how they tend to use their AI chats when lonely, looking for a ‘quick fix’ to their mental health. 

One of the most significant areas of concern for many doctors is the human-like response style and clinical authority most AI chat bots reply in. This style of dialect can be confusing to younger demographics who may not realize they are not communicating with a person. The clinical authority with which AI provides solutions is also perceived to be accurate by the user, when algorithms operating the AI sometimes fabricate answers. The complications of AI uses reach far beyond mental health vulnerability and the technology is likely to be subjected to many additional regulations as it continues to advance, attempting to limit misinformation and protect users.

OSHA’s Beat the Heat Contest to Further Temperature Hazard Prevention

Every year companies face challenges during the summer related directly to temperature and heat based injuries, with dozens of employees facing death and severe heat related illnesses every year in the United States. Just last year there were almost 2,000 reported injuries and illnesses related to environmental heat. States in the southwestern United States often face average summer temperatures well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, subjecting construction and other outdoor industries to dangerous conditions. 

Employers all over the country have already started preparing for the start of summer, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed several educational resources, regulations, and aids to enhance employee safety. Some techniques OSHA has used to help prevent employee related heat injuries while at work include crafting temperature-illness prevention plans, teaching materials, and ensuring workers have access to things like shade and water. This year OSHA has also launched a ‘Beat the Heat’ contest to incentivize and reward industries taking the necessary steps to prevent employee injuries. 

The ‘Beat the Heat’ Contest

The ‘Beat the Heat’ Contest was started by OSHA this year to uncover more resources and further raise awareness of the risks employees and employers will face this summer. For the contest employers will submit any tools and resources they are implementing to contribute to employee education and work safety regarding heat hazards. The purpose of the contents is industry and public awareness related to the dangers of excessive heat exposure, and to motivate all entities to prevent heat illnesses from occurring. 

A panel of OSHA and federal agency workers will form a judgment panel to decide on a winner of the contest. All members of the panel will have some expertise in relevant heat related subject matter and judge based on the how well the submissions:

  • Identify heat risk to workers

  • Provide informative messages

  • Utilize creative communication methods

  • Create engagement with employers, employees, and relevant stakeholders to work together forming effective communications concerning the hazardous risks of heat exposure in the workplace. 

  • Apply effective communication and message strategies to be accessible and easily understood by all workers, employers, and relevant stakeholders. 

  • Consider the geographic significance of the employment industry sector

Award Categories will include:

  • Most Innovative

  • Most Creative

  • Boldest Message

  • Best Non-English Submission

  • Highlighting Indoor Heat Hazards

  • Highlighting Young Workers

The employee industries will have until June 9, 2023 to submit their entries into the contest, and winners will be determined shortly thereafter. 

Heat-Illness Resources and Education

Heat stress is one of the most commonly reported injuries by workers exposed to extreme heat conditions on the job. Heat stress can result in a variety of complications including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rashes. High temperatures can also increase the risk of workplace accidents by causing sweaty palms, foggy protective eyewear, and disorientation. Another commonly reported injury is a variety of surface burns from the sun, and from contact with metal surfaces left in direct sunlight. 

Many workers and industries have exposed areas of risk when discussing heat related illnesses and injury. Workers at risk of heat stress include industries that contact the outdoors including hot environments including firefighters, bakeries, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room technicians, factory employees, and many others. 

These workers are at a much higher risk when they are overweight, over the age of 65, have heart disease, have high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat exposure. 

Types of Heat Related Illnesses 

  • Heat Stroke

    • The most serious heat-related illness that occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. The body’s temperature will continue to rise until the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down, causing permanent disability or death if the person is left untreated. 

  • Heat Exhaustion

    • The body’s response to excessive loss of water and salt, most likely through excessive sweating. This will most commonly affect the elderly and people with underlying health conditions that are working in hot environments. 

  • Rhabdomyolysis

    • A medical condition associated with heat stress and prolonged physical exertion in high temperatures. Rhabdo causes the rapid breakdown of and death of muscle releasing large quantities of electrolytes and protein into the bloodstream. This condition can result in irregular heart rhythms, seizures, and kidney damage.

  • Heat Syncope

    • A fainting episode or unusual dizziness often associated with standing too long or sudden elevation changes of the head above the body. Factors that can exacerbate this condition are dehydration and lack of acclimatization. 

  • Heat Cramps

    • Usually affect individuals who often sweat profusely during physical exertion or strenuous activity. Sweating depletes the body’s salt and moisture levels creating painful muscle cramps, also an indication of the early stages of heat exhaustion.

  • Heat Rash

    • A skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during high temperatures and humid conditions. 

All of these conditions should be completely addressed by employer heat prevention plans, and all employees should be fully educated about the risks and early symptom signs related to each heat related illness. 

Heat-Illness Prevention Methods

Planning and supervision are two factors that can significantly reduce heat related illness and injury to employees while at work. Employers should develop a written plan to prevent heat-illnesses from happening so employees have the highest level of safety and awareness.

Prevention Plans should include:

  • Who will provide daily oversight?

  • How will new workers develop heat tolerance?

  • Temporary workers may be more susceptible to heat and require closer supervision.

  • Workers returning from leave  (more than two weeks) may be at increased risk.

  • How will the employer ensure first aid is adequate and the protocol for summoning medical assistance in situations beyond first-aid is effective?

  • How will heat stress be measured?

  • How to respond to the National Weather Service’ heat advisories?

  • How to determine if the total heat stress is hazardous?

  • What training will be provided to workers and supervisors?

Heat conditions can change rapidly and must require day-to-day supervision to ensure all the policies and prevention plans effectively do their job to benefit employees. Supervisory individuals at a work site should be responsible for constantly monitoring and implementing employer heat plans as conditions change throughout the day, and ideally the individual should also be on site where the workers are. 

America’s Tornadoes are Evolving

In the last few weeks a flurry of tornadoes devastated many regions in the midwestern United States.These storm cells left scientists and the communities wondering why tornadoes seem to be increasing in frequency, devastation, and expansion across the United States. Peak tornado season lasts between March and June with approximately 70 percent of yearly storm cells being recorded during those months. However, as a warming climate continues to modify atmospheric conditions scientists are observing certain changes in the aspect of tornado patterns and basic formation. 

The 2023 season has already observed five times reported preliminary tornado reports than the average between 1990 and 2010. The month of January alone had an astounding 168 reports of tornado storm cell activities across the United States. 

While it is still too early to definitively relate climate change to increased tornado activities, scientists are able to correlate some adverse side effects to the subtle evolution of tornado size, span, and frequency as they continue to wreak havoc across the United States each year. 

Understanding Tornado Patterns


Tornadoes are a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cell system in the atmosphere to the ground. Tornadoes become visible as they form a condensation tunnel of wind that collects water droplets, dust, and debris. Some tornadoes have been recorded with wind speeds of more than 300 miles per hour, completely destroying anything in their path. These storm cells can be some of the most dangerous and destructive weather phenomena, responsible for countless deaths and economic damages each year. 

Tornadoes occur predominantly in the midwestern United States, but other areas of the world that experience them include Argentina, Bangladesh, and various reports on the other continents. The United States records about 1,200 tornadoes every year, however average reports overtime are somewhat inconsistent because official records only date back to 1950 and recording methods have changed overtime. 

The media often refers to an area of the United States known as tornado alley when discussing these deadly storm cells and their typical range across the United States.Although the region is a relatively common for tornado activities, the idea of “tornado alley” can be somewhat misleading.

Tornadoes have been reported in all fifty states, and many violent tornadoes have occurred outside of “tornado alley”. In the cooler months of the year tornadoes are more likely to affect the southeastern states, while the southern central plains regions are more at risk in the warmer months between May and June, and the northern plains during early summer months. 

Environmental Trends Affecting Tornadoes

To understand how environmental conditions may be affecting tornado storm cell development and resulting damages, meteorologists have been researching trends in their parent strom cell development. The scientists have been closely observing how changes in atmospheric humidity, temperature, and jet stream cycles may affect storm cell formation. 

Most tornadoes in the United States form from an uncommon supercell thunderstorm system which requires moist warm air to form close to the ground and a strong wind shear. The system requires a strong vertical wind shear caused by changing wind speeds and direction closer to the ground to draw the warm moisture up into the atmosphere. The air begins to spin cyclonically as it lifts off of the ground and continues to narrow and increase its cyclonic speed as it begins to form a menacing funnel cloud. The funnel and rotating system are the first indication of a potential tornado, but are only classified as such if they actually touch down on the ground. 

Factors Affecting Tornado Patterns 

  • Increased heat and humidity in the atmosphere

  • Modifications to the jet stream

  • Larger and more frequent supercell thunderstorm systems

Since scientific data is fairly limited and inconsistent, scientists cannot definitively identify long term changes in the storm cells over time. They have described that we are currently in an “experimental” phase studying how tornadoes are evolving, and they can only hypothesize what the future will entail. 

The Future of Tornadoes

As warming surface trends, associated with ongoing climate changes, continue scientists have identified possible modifications to the patterns and formation of tornado storm systems as we have observed over the past 70 years. While long term predictions are not possible due to the lack of consistent and historical data, preliminary conclusions and warnings can be formulated. 

Meteorologists have already recorded an increase in the size and frequency of many supercell tornadoes, as damages have continued to surpass millions of dollars in economic losses each year. Continued expansion of industrial and residential development in at-risk regions has contributed to the increased death toll related to tornadoes in the past decades. Another factor is the increasing spread and range the storms are beginning to acquire, as unprepared regions are exposed to the severe risks associated with tornado development. 

Droughts and atmospheric conditions have resulted in fewer deadly tornadoes in states like Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. A dangerous tornado developed just last month in New Jersey leaving multiple people dead and more continue to appear in states outside the tornado alley region. The southeastern states have a long wind shear that forms the necessary conditions for tornadoes when combined with increased atmospheric temperature and humidity contributed by climate change. The necessary conditions may suggest the range of tornadoes will continue to expand to bordering states previously at a lower risk to these kinds of natural disasters. Meteorologists also suggest supercell thunderstorm formation will likely shift toward later winter and early spring months rather than summer and fall as seasonality is also affected by climate changes. 

There are many uncertainties associated with how and where tornadoes continue to evolve, but scientists are undoubtedly sure there will be continued increases in devastation, loss of life, and economic damages. The United States population has almost doubled since 1950 and increased development across tornado alley and the east coast, suggesting tornadoes are more likely to affect more people than ever before. 

Train Derailment in Ohio Threatens State’s Environmental Health

A massive ecological disaster is currently underway in East Palestine Ohio after a severe train derailment releases a variety of different chemicals into the environment. Scientists have been able to identify several of these chemicals released from the train cars including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, and isobutylene. 

Health officials are on high alert because many of the harmful chemicals have been known to cause a variety of harm to human health including irritation, breathing difficulties, cancer, and eye damage. The alarm continues to rise as the full breadth of the disaster continues to unfold, raising major concerns about the severity of exposure and contamination resulting from the incident. 

After the initial derailment of the 150 car freight train occurred, authorities decided to burn some of the spilled chemicals to avoid any potential explosions. The chemical burning has sparked additional concerns regarding human and environmental health for the greater portion of eastern Ohio, as the contaminants have now been observed entering the local atmosphere and essential resources like waterways and nearby farms.  

5 Toxic Chemicals Identified Around Derailment

Residents of the Palestine Ohio area have been told it is safe to return home after the initial assessments of the impacted area, however questions still remain over the extent of exposure to the region’s resources and additional safety concerns surrounding the chemical burning. Scientists are working to determine the level of exposure to the soil, air, and water. They have already been able to identify at least 5 different contaminants released by the train derailment. 

  1. Vinyl Chloride: This compound is a known carcinogen, observable as a colorless flammable gas used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) components. PVC is the plastic material used in many different types of packing materials, electronics, medical supplies, and construction products. Extended exposure to vinyl chloride can result in drowsiness, disorientation, extremity numbing, nausea, and eventually cancer. This chemical is also a culprit of severe eye and skin irritation, among many of the initial reports from affecting individuals. Vinyl chloride has also been recorded causing extensive liver damages to those with long term exposure able to seep into soil and pollute groundwater resources. 

  2. Butyl acrylate: This colorless liquid chemical is also used to produce various types of plastics, polymers, resins, and material coatings. Butyl acrylate is colorless with a fruity odor causing irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tracts after long exposures. 

  3. Isobutylene: A colorless gas utilized in plastic production for packing materials and resins. Exposure to isobutylene causes dizziness and headaches.The shipping company transporting this company reported in an inventory briefing that the cells carrying this chemical had no breaches, although it has still been observed in the scientist’s environmental assessment surveys. 

  4. Ethylene glycol: A synthetic compound used in components of paint, ink, hydraulic brake fluid, and antifreeze compounds. Exposure to ethylene glycol has been recorded causing irritation to eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tracts. 

  5. Ethylhexyl acrylate: This colorless liquid is used to produce plastics and polymer compounds. Any person exposed can experience irritation to their eyes and skin as well as nausea and sore throats. 

Experts Criticize Disaster Response

Most of the country has been kept in the dark regarding the massive derailment, and many experts are now highly skeptical concerning the actual response from county officials and site surveys. The derailment was overshadowed in the news by sightings of rogue balloons thought to be of Chinese origin over the continental USA, and the superbowl. As more information and public highlighting of the events happening in the Ohio town reach the rest of the country, people are demanding more cohesive explanations regarding how officials are handling the spill. 

So far the conclusions are unsure if officials have done enough to study the effects and potential concerns for immediate and long term impacts the chemical spill could pose to human and environmental health. Evidently there has been a lot of testing and safety discussions since the initial accident, however there has not been any formal reports outlining the comprehensive actions taken to address the contamination concerns and consequences. 

Other expert scientists have also drawn concerns to the potential pollutants that may have been created as a byproduct of the derailment and fire. When some of the identified chemicals are burned they can produce byproducts known as dioxins which are extremely harmful and toxic substances. 

Ohio’s Environmental Protection Agency has stated they will be continuing to monitor and survey the quality of Palestine’s air, soil, and water however they have not identified if they will also be testing for the harmful chemical byproducts adding to further criticism. 

The dioxins are heavy sticky compounds able to settle on people’s properties and tracked inside their homes, creating health hazards after being inhaled or ingested. These toxic compounds by products also do not break down easily and can sometimes persist for decades.

Environmental Damages

Initial estimates have been updated to suggest the freight train derailment is responsible for more than 44,000 animal deaths. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) estimates the deaths account for more than 38,000 minnows, plus more than 5,000 additional species that include fish, amphibians, crayfish, and macroinvertebrates. 

Shortly after the derailment officials declared it unsafe to enter waterways in the area unless prepared with specialized protective gear and equipment. Residents reported hundreds if not thousands of fish washing up on the shores of the rivers and streams further downstream from the incident, although officials have observed fish returning to the initial areas closer to where the incident happened. 

Hazardous trains are also required to be fitted with specialized automatic braking systems that would allow trains to brake faster potentially reducing the extent of damage a derailment can cause. Companies are always looking for ways to add more cars to their trains, inadvertently increasing the risk of derailment.

Mauna Loa Volcano Awake Almost 40 Years

Mauna Loa Volcano, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, has been awake for nearly two years, and has finally erupted in late November.

This imposing volcano is one of the most active in the world and its activity reveals fascinating insights into geology and Earth's shifting landscape.

In this article we explore what an 'awake' Mauna Loa means for locals, scientists and hikers alike.

Mauna Loa Volcano: Exploring Its Recent Activity


Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on Earth, located in Hawaii.

It has been active since its formation thousands of years ago and continues to show signs of activity today through periodic eruptions.

Over the past two years, Mauna Loa has awakened again with a series of small earthquakes that have caused concern among scientists and residents alike. Prior to this activity the last eruption was not since 1984. 

From December 2018 to July 2019, there were 619 small magnitude earthquakes detected near Mauna Loa Volcano’s summit region (at depths less than 5 km).

Scientists believe these quakes are related to magma movement within a shallow magma reservoir close beneath the surface—an indication that new eruptions were likely years down the road, and it finally happened.

What makes this event so interesting and noteworthy is not just its size but also its duration; most seismic swarms associated with volcanoes typically last only weeks or days whereas this one has lasted an entire eight-month period.

The fact that seismic activity continued for such an extended time frame tells us something important: it was likely driven by pressure from large amounts of trapped gas rather than rising molten rock inside a shallower chamber below ground level.

The eruption occurred as pressurized gasses like carbon dioxide rose with the molten rock fast enough to the surface. The expanding gasses and materials lead to big explosions as the energy is rapidly released, sometimes in spouting lava plumes. 

As part of ongoing monitoring efforts, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) staff took measurements several times during April 2020 showing increases in sulfur dioxide gas emissions at both Kilauea Summit and lower East Rift Zone vents, as well as changes in temperature consistently throughout those locations, indicating flow pathways which connect distant regions across multiple areas spanning tens of kilometers .

This data reveals that pressure is building inside the volcano to critical rates and future eruptions could occur relatively quickly until the molten materials are dispensed.

Understanding how volcanoes behave requires lots of data analysis compiled from various sources, including remote sensing technologies such as satellites equipped with infrared cameras able to detect heat radiating off the landscape for potentially hazardous hot spots. Field observations closely study features occurring in the surroundings using ground-based instrumentation to track and measure subsurface conditions. The data surveys atmosphere pollution particles in order to assess impacts on the environment to manage land usage for safety purposes. Gathering observations allow for risk analyses to proactively protect affected communities from any future disaster scenarios and identify signs of a possible imminent threat posed to nearby populations.

Mauna Loa's recent awakening provides valuable insight into predicting volcanic behavior: • Insight into pressurization levels behind quakes linked to specific movements happening in deeper chambers, providing better identification strategies for gauging levels of risk in the front-end model. Better identification strategies will aid emergency communication, accordingly helping avert disasters if spotted early enough.

Challenges Facing The Monitoring Of A Restless Giant

Scientists have been closely monitoring Mauna Loa for the past two years, as its state of unrest signaled potential eruptive activities. 

The volcano is located on Hawaii’s Big Island and rises 13,680 feet above sea level.

As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, its activity can cause significant disruption to communities living nearby or even downwind from it.

 

Here are some of the challenges facing scientists and other authorities as they monitor this restless giant:

1) Inadequate Resources – Monitoring such an active volcano requires constant surveillance including ground deformation measurements, seismic monitoring equipment, aerial photographs and real-time satellite imaging to identify possible eruptions before they occur.

Unfortunately, these efforts require substantial financial resources that many cash-strapped governments lack; consequently, dangerous situations may go unnoticed until it is too late for action.

 

 

2) Difficult Accessibility – Many parts of Mauna Loa are quite remote and difficult to access quickly by personnel when necessary, such as during earthquakes or volcanic eruptions when reliable data must be collected quickly without endangering anyone involved in the mission.

This limitation not only makes monitoring more challenging but also results in inaccurate information being captured due to longer response times, which ultimately leads to false alarms that could potentially result in unnecessary evacuations and widespread panic among populations near potential hazards caused by geological events still happening deep underground in off-site locations.

 

3) Hazards To Personnel – While measuring Mauna Loa’s earthquake activities, seismologists often have to come close enough to place their recording instruments around lava fields while running current risk assessments on potential present dangers. The high risk environment not only involves themselves but also residents living within areas perceived at harm because of possibly misplaced predictions during geophysical studies. 

These are the reasons why people get paid large salaries to get up close to the volatile volcano, doing what others wouldn't dare try anyway. Many tourists travel to Hawai’i to see the volcano, getting extremely close to the dangerous lava fields despite countless warnings now visible everywhere. Increased global attention and foot traffic have made this process perhaps even more risky than usual when confronting unpredictable forces beyond human control.

Officials have established barriers and road closures to prevent people from wandering into unstable areas, and geologists are constantly monitoring ongoing activities. Already the eruption has experienced many changes and its lava is slowly expanding down its slopes towards roads and other infrastructure. 

 

4) Technology Limitations

- A common challenge faced by those tasked with studying any natural phenomenon occurs when inadequate technology fails to get accurate readings from volcanic emissions floating through air as conditions greatly change over short periods.

Volatile changes require advanced tools and techniques to obtain reliable quantifications.

Untrustworthy data might disrupt communications causing mistaken decisions to result in serious delays and unfavorable outcomes despite the official's best efforts.