Volcanic eruptions constantly threaten communities and challenge scientific progress. Research on ongoing volcanic activity reflects this duality, providing timely information to protect the society while uncovering new processes and testing in real-time new techniques and ideas. In this session, we aim to collect contributions from the diverse range of real-time observations of volcanic activity, including: 1) recent cases of volcanic crises, their dynamics and evolution, specific problems, and lessons learned; 2) studies of persistent activity at 'laboratory volcanoes', both from well-established monitoring networks and temporary deployments, with particular emphasis on the use of new techniques, their integration with more established tools, and their potential application to future crisis; and 3) recent developments in theoretical and experimental studies directly impacting the future of field monitoring of volcanic activity. Hazard-oriented, multiparametric and interdisciplinary studies, and retrieval of eruption source parameters are particularly welcome.