Aerosol particles in the atmosphere have a bigger impact on cloud cover than previously thought, increasing it by approximately 10%. Clouds hold more water before rainfall occurs due to smaller and more numerous droplets, leading to reduced precipitation. The study uses satellite data and machine learning to improve climate models.
Researchers at Rice University propose a new scenario explaining the 2016 discovery of tridymite by NASA's Curiosity rover. They suggest that magma cooled slowly in a chamber below a volcano, producing concentrated silicon-rich ash that was later weathered and sorted by water.
A new method can improve explosion detection by training computers to recognize synthetic infrasound signals, which reflect regional and global atmospheric changes. This approach broadens the usefulness of single-element infrasound microphones for detecting subtle explosion signals in near real-time.
Researchers at Nagoya University used satellite data to track ionospheric disturbances after the 2022 Tonga underwater eruption, detecting earlier signs of tsunami waves. The team found that electromagnetic waves traveled 1000 km/s, much faster than air pressure waves, allowing for potentially quicker tsunami warnings.
Researchers analyzed the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano's eruption to understand its effects on atmospheric waves. The blast provided an unprecedented view of atmospheric waves, allowing scientists to better predict the weather and climate.
Researchers deployed a fiber-optic cable on Grímsvötn's ice cap to detect low-frequency volcanic tremor, revealing the floating ice sheet acts as a natural amplifier of seismic signals. This technology shows promise for monitoring other ice-covered volcano systems.
A new study in Nature explains the mechanism behind the exceptional tsunami that occurred after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano explosion in 2022. The research team analyzed satellite and sea-level data worldwide, demonstrating that the tsunami was driven by an acoustic-gravity wave caused by the volcano eruption.
Researchers investigate the emergence of aerobic life through halogen ratios in crustal fluids, revealing insights into ancient environments. A newly discovered submarine volcano near Tokyo Bay, Japan, is found to have past eruptive activity that poses future hazards.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai submarine volcano eruption created the largest recorded volcanic explosion, producing massive gravity and atmospheric waves that reverberated around the earth. The study, published in Nature, highlights the importance of this event for improving weather and climate models.
Scientists studied oxygen isotopes in lava samples from the Fagradalsfjall eruption to understand magma sources and mantle dynamics. The research revealed diverse mantle components with uniform oxygen isotope ratios, shedding light on Iceland's geology and refining mantle models.
Researchers discovered a 'volcano-shaped' relationship between polysulfide adsorption and catalytic activity in lithium-sulfur batteries. This finding modifies the long-standing principle that strong adsorption leads to good catalytic activity, suggesting catalysts should be designed separately to improve performance.
Researchers identified a mechanism responsible for the exceptional tsunami's rapid spread across the globe. The tsunami was driven by acoustic-gravity waves (AGWs) triggered by the powerful volcanic blast, which interacted with the ocean to amplify the wave.
A Galapagos giant tortoise species previously believed to be extinct has been confirmed to still exist, thanks to genetic research that sequenced the genome of a single specimen and compared it with living individuals. The study's findings offer hope for the recovery of this species.
A team of geologists successfully forecasted a Sierra Negra volcano eruption in June 2018 using a supercomputer-powered model. The model predicted an imminent eruption five months before it occurred, highlighting the power of high-performance computing in volcanic forecasting.
Researchers from the University of Oregon studied a persistent lava lake at Kīlauea's summit, finding that seismic signals encode resonance of magma sloshing in and out of the shallow magma chamber. The study provides new insights into volcanic gas migration and magma temperature, shedding light on the volcano's dynamics.
A University of Utah and New Zealand study reveals that CO2 deep underground allows magma to avoid being trapped, reaching the surface and pooling into persistent lava lakes. This finding expands our understanding of magma sources and transport to the surface, particularly in rift volcanoes.
A study on Arabidopsis thaliana found that a two-step molecular process rewired nutrient transport, allowing the plants to thrive in manganese-limited volcanic soil. The discovery provides insights into nutrient homeostasis and has implications for evolutionary biology and crop improvement.
A new study validates modeling of megafire smoke using satellite- and ground-based observations from Australia and British Columbia. The research improves predictive capability for global-scale events, enhancing our understanding of climate change impacts.
A team of 76 scientists used multiple forms of technology to collect data on the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption, which was measured globally by 53 infrasound monitors. The data revealed that infrasound waves traveled surprisingly far and accurately recorded the event's seismic activity.
Researchers characterized the Hunga volcano's atmospheric waves, providing exceptional resolution of the evolving wavefield compared to historic events. The data revealed Lamb waves, rare and low-frequency pressure waves associated with large eruptions and nuclear detonations.
A team of scientists from 17 nations studied the Hunga submarine volcano eruption, which created a variety of atmospheric wave types. The research provides insights into the behavior of Lamb waves, which are rare and linked to tsunami and volcanic plume generation.
The January 2022 volcanic eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai was one of the most powerful recorded, generating long-range infrasounds and global tsunamis. An unexpected atmospheric wave contributed to the tsunami 'forerunner,' arriving earlier than expected.
The Hunga Tonga volcano's 2022 eruption was the biggest bang since Krakatoa, with a pressure wave traveling around the world four times over six days. The explosion produced a shockwave comparable to the largest nuclear test, yet lasted four times longer.
Scientists analyzing NASA's ICON mission data and ESA's Swarm satellites found that the Tonga volcano's eruption triggered hurricane-speed winds and unusual electric currents in the ionosphere. The extreme winds reached speeds of up to 450 mph, affecting the equatorial electrojet and causing a dramatic shift in its direction.
A new volcanic modeling study found that ice-capped volcanoes like Westdahl Peak are delayed in eruption by approximately seven years due to the added pressure from glacial ice. This increase in time may seem insignificant on a geologic scale, but it's significant on the human time scale.
A team of researchers has confirmed that a volcanic eruption in 1628 B.C. was not Thera but Alaskan volcano Aniakchak II, helping to narrow down the potential dates for the Thera eruption's occurrence between 1611 B.C., 1562-1555 B.C. and 1538 B.C.
A study by KyotoU scientists has discovered a significant relationship between volcanic activity and seismic faults. The research team found that the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes were triggered by the eruption of Mount Aso, which caused a shift in the fault's movement pattern.
A seismic algorithm has been developed to detect and locate volcanic eruptions in near real-time. The algorithm was tested using the Hunga Tonga Ha'apai eruption, which ejected around 10 km³ of ash and lava, making it the largest explosive eruption of the 21st century.
Researchers found that seafloor spreading rates have slowed down globally over the past 19 million years, with an average slowdown of 40%. This decrease is linked to increased friction between colliding tectonic plates and may be driven by subduction zones. The study's findings could help contextualize long-term changes in the atmosphere.
Researchers identify magma intrusion as cause of 85,000-quake swarm in Antarctica, largest ever recorded. The swarm peaked with two large earthquakes before subsiding, marking the end of a sustained magmatic unrest.
Scientists have discovered a shapeshifting volcano virus with remarkable properties that let it alter its shape. This finding could lead to new ways to deliver drugs and vaccines, with implications for understanding how viruses evolved and potentially creating new technologies.
A fibre optic cable was used to record volcanic events at Mount Etna, detecting seismo-acoustic activity and mapping hidden structural features. The Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) method proved suitable for volcano monitoring and hazard assessment.
Researchers found a persistent 20% reduction in carbon dioxide seeping up from the ground during the spring of 2017, coinciding with intense drought and record-high Sierra Nevada snowpack. The study suggests that changes in Earth's hydrology due to climate change can impact volcanic emissions.
UC Santa Barbara geologists Melissa Scruggs and Frank Spera led an international team in publishing the first holistic account of the Tonga eruption, which devastated the nation on January 15. The eruption triggered massive tsunamis and atmospheric waves globally, with an ash plume reaching over 58 kilometers into the atmosphere.
A new Yale-led study reveals that arc magmas have a higher oxidation state than rocks in most of the Earth's mantle. The research proposes that this is due to hot, water-rich fluids rising through an oxidized sediment layer, producing oxidized magmas that can ultimately erupt as lava from volcanoes.
A new study led by Smithsonian volcanologist Dan Rasmussen finds that water content in magma is a significant factor controlling its storage depth. The research provides crucial insights into the physics of magma storage beneath volcanoes, which can aid in predicting volcanic eruptions.
Researchers studied a large lava flow from Popocatépetl to better understand possible future eruption scenarios. The study found that a similar lava flow today could severely damage infrastructure and displace local residents, highlighting the need for preparedness and awareness of volcanic hazards.
A fresh analysis suggests that the global cooling effect of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption will be smaller than expected. However, the researchers warn that a one-time-only event may not be sufficient to overwhelm the longer-term global warming tendency.
Researchers found a chemical link between wildfire smoke and ozone depletion, which may stall ozone recovery for years. The study discovered that the smoke from Australian wildfires in 2019-2020 depleted ozone by 1%, highlighting the potential impact of future, more frequent fires.
A study at Merapi Volcano, Indonesia, found that a horseshoe-shaped fracture zone is causing summit dome instabilities. Weakened rocks from the hidden fracture zone are likely the main cause of ongoing instabilities.
A new electrocatalyst, Co2MnO4 spinel, shows high stability in acid environments for the oxygen evolution reaction. The researchers used density functional theoretical calculations and multi-dissolution pathways to explain its high stability.
Research published in Communications Earth and Environment reveals insights into explosive submarine eruptions, challenging existing depth limits. Pink pumice found in the Havre 2012 eruption indicates a powerful jet and shielded core, capable of producing an explosive column.
Researchers investigate the end-Triassic mass extinction, volcanic lightning at Taal volcano, and rapid retreat of the southwestern Laurentide Ice Sheet. The study provides new insights into glacial isostatic adjustment models and ice-sheet sensitivity to climate forcing.
A recent study discovered that a hydrothermal crater lake in Costa Rica's Poás volcano is home to a diverse range of microorganisms, including the single 'extremophile' genus Acidiphilium. These bacteria have adapted to survive in extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and toxic metals, which may be similar to those found on Mars.
Researchers at ETH Zurich analyzed garnet crystals from volcanic deposits to infer magma chamber residence times. They found that phonolitic magma stored in the upper crust for several thousand years before triggering an eruption, and a reservoir of this magma has existed beneath Vesuvius for the last 10'000 years.
Research reveals that magmas from Mount Etna and Mount Vulture have extremely high Nb/Ta ratios, indicating a deep carbon-rich lithospheric mantle beneath southern Italy. This process contributes significantly to global volcanic CO2 emissions.
A 2020 volcanic eruption in the Philippines showed how explosive eruptions can create lightning, shedding light on the eruption's behavior. The study used global lightning detection, satellite images, and social media photos to characterize the eruption.
The 2018 Anak Krakatau volcano collapse in Indonesia was triggered by long-term destabilization, not a sudden explosive eruption. The study found that the disaster was less likely to have been caused by magma forcing its way to the surface and triggering the landslide.
A team of astronomers used a 3D simulation to study dust motion and growth in a protoplanetary disk around a young star. They found that large dust particles can be entrained by gas outflows and eventually fall back onto the outer regions of the disk, enabling planetesimal formation.
The Cumbre Vieja volcano eruption revealed a four-year period of increased seismic activity, suggesting early warning signs of unrest. This discovery has significant implications for eruption forecasting at quiescent volcanoes.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that felsic volcanism in South China drove the end-Permian mass extinction, with extreme elemental copper enrichment and light isotopic compositions indicating large-scale eruptions near the studied outcrops. This finding strengthens the case against the Siberian Traps as the sole trigger f...
A research team analyzed seismic noise recorded over the last decade to better understand volcanic processes at Campi Flegrei. They found that directionality loss in noise data indicates the migration of deep fluids towards the eastern caldera, which triggers earthquakes.
A team of scientists has identified a new force behind the past mass extinction event, finding that volcano eruptions produced a 'volcanic winter' that drastically lowered earth's temperatures. This change added to the environmental effects resulting from other phenomena at the time.
A new study presents a broad survey of monogenetic volcanoes in the US Southwest, providing insights into their characteristics and potential hazards. The research reveals that over 1,800 volcanoes have erupted in the region over the past 2.58 million years, with some still posing threats despite being dormant.
Researchers from UNIGE and Peking University developed a technique to estimate the maximum size of a future super-eruption of Toba volcano. The study found that magma silently accumulated in the magma reservoir until massive explosions occur, with no warning signs beforehand.
A team of scientists led by University of Hawaii at Manoa has discovered a newly-formed planet, 2M0437b, which can be directly observed. The planet is estimated to be several times more massive than Jupiter and formed with its star around the time of main Hawaiian Island emergence.
Researchers found that high water content in magma can reduce the risk of an explosive eruption. The study suggests combining different metrics to predict gas bubbles and crystallization, potentially leading to better forecasts for dangerous explosions.
A University of Queensland-led study reveals that hot spot volcanoes do not produce 'pristine' magma from the melting mantle but instead filter a different melt to the surface. This new information supports the notion that detection of magma at the crust-mantle boundary could indicate an upcoming eruption.
A new algorithm detects small surface deformations in satellite images, allowing for earlier warnings of volcanic eruptions. This enables more precise monitoring of over 1,500 active volcanoes worldwide, providing a significant basis for improving eruption forecasts.
A new study on Haleakala volcano's crater and great valleys proposes a landslide hypothesis to explain the formation of these features. The researchers suggest that a giant landslide on the volcano's northeastern flank displaced the surface, creating the valleys and crater. Another article presents detrital zircon research on Sierra Ne...