harbinger（回答）

Shou-VR*くんからの指名質問に答えます。
Bigger Sakurajima eruption not in cards despite outburst
When contacted by The Japan Times, a meteorological official in Kagoshima described the eruption as testament to the mountain’s “increasingly active status” over the years. But the official, who didn’t want his name released, said Sunday’s outburst should not be regarded as a direct harbinger of a bigger event, such as the 1914 Taisho eruption, which, along with a 7.1-magnitude earthquake, claimed 58 lives and left 112 people injured.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/19/national/bigger-sakurajima-eruption-not-in-cards-despite-outburst/#.UhLS7tK-06Y

ここでのharbingerという単語についてです。さっそく調べてみると、これは「≪変化の≫先触れ、兆し、前兆」という意味がありました。確認のため英英でも見てみるとLDOCEには“a sign that something is going to happen soon”と記載されていました。また、語源を見てみると、Wikitionaryに次のように載っていました。（Jakie）
“Originally, a person that is sent in advance to provide lodgings. From Middle English herbergeour, from Old French herbergeor ( > French héberger (“to accommodate, put up”)), from Frankish *heriberga (“lodging, inn”, literally “army shelter”), from Proto-Germanic *harjaz (“army”) + *bergô (“protection”). Compare German Herberge, Italian albergo, Dutch herberg, English harbour. More at here, borrow.”