Following the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have developed advanced methods for predicting lava flows, offering significant improvements for monitoring volcanoes on Earth and potentially Venus. During the 13-day event, a massive lava flow threatened Saddle Road, a critical highway connecting residential and employment areas. While officials could not initially predict if the lava would block the route, new techniques now enable real-time tracking of flow progression and more accurate forecasts for future eruptions. Ian Flynn, a research assistant professor at Pitt, utilized a combination of satellite data from public agencies like NASA and private commercial providers, including Planet SuperDoves and Landsat. This approach allowed the team to map the lava front as it advanced, providing vital situational awareness. Although the flow halted approximately 1.5 miles from the highway, the ability to monitor such threats in real time represents a major leap forward in public safety. The study, published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, highlights the integration of machine learning algorithms to analyze thermal data. Collaborating with Dr. Claudia Corradino from the Italian National Institute of Volcanology and Geophysics, the team identified a rise in thermal activity one month prior to the eruption. While these signals were detected retrospectively, the methodology provides a template for earlier warnings in future events. Flynn emphasizes that every volcano possesses a unique behavior or personality, requiring tailored monitoring systems rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. To further enhance predictive capabilities, Flynn partnered with Dr. Shashank Bhushan at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to adapt methodologies used for measuring glacier thickness. By applying similar techniques to lava flows, researchers can now estimate flow thickness and volume, moving beyond two-dimensional surface maps. This data reveals crucial details about the eruption's stage, whether it is intensifying or waning, and how quickly the lava is cooling. Understanding thermal trends is essential for safety, as degassing lava emits hazardous chemicals, and knowing when lava cools helps scientists analyze its composition. These advancements also have extraterrestrial applications. The cooling rates observed on Earth serve as a baseline for interpreting data from other planets. As the search for active volcanoes continues, particularly on Venus, accurate models of terrestrial lava cooling allow scientists to better constrain their understanding of volcanic activity in different environmental conditions. If a hot flow is detected on Venus, Earth-based models can help determine its age and behavior based on how long it takes to cool under specific atmospheric pressures. As data availability grows, the research team continues to refine these predictive models. While there is no universal method for predicting all volcanic eruptions, the ability to extract unique solutions for specific sites like Mauna Loa is transforming volcano monitoring. These tools not only improve safety for communities near active threats but also expand humanity's capacity to explore and understand volcanic processes across the solar system.