Articles tagged with Lava
Researchers found evidence of five drought events impacting Ancestral Puebloan society from centuries-old charcoal and ash deposits in a lava tube. The discovery sheds light on human-environment interactions during climate change, highlighting the ingenuity of Ancestral Puebloans in accessing water resources.
A volcanic province in the Indian Ocean was the world's most continuously active supervolcanoes, erupting for 30 million years, fueled by a constantly moving magma conveyor belt. This allowed for an enormous accumulation of volcanic rocks, equivalent to filling up 184,000 Olympic-size swimming pools with lava every year.
Researchers discovered Martian and lunar lava tubes are up to 1,000 times wider than those on Earth, with volumes exceeding 1 billion cubic meters. The study highlights the potential of these underground cavities for future space exploration and settlement.
Researchers discovered chemically diverse magmas beneath Galapagos volcanoes, which could become mobile and lead to unexpected explosive eruptions. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that volcanoes producing consistent basaltic lava flows are stable.
Researchers used drones to create centimeter-resolution 3D models of a volcano in Guatemala, revealing slow expansion and fast extrusion of viscous lava. The study provides new possibilities for measuring ground movements and predicting volcanic danger.
A team of researchers recreated Martian conditions in a low-pressure chamber, observing the flow of mud that behaves similarly to pahoehoe lava flows on Earth. The study confirms sedimentary volcanism is possible on Mars, prompting a reevaluation of geological structures previously attributed to lava flows.
Researchers found that free flowing mud under Martian conditions behaves differently from on Earth due to rapid freezing and icy crust formation. The experimental mud flows formed similar shapes to 'pahoehoe' lava, explaining the formation of lava-like flow morphologies on Mars.
Researchers analyzed volcanic samples from Santorini and Aegina to understand why they have different eruption styles. The study found that the islands' locations on the Aegean microplate led to varying lava mix recipes, resulting in calderas versus lava domes.
Researchers from Uppsala University discovered that hot magma from inside the Earth is forcing its way into a giant reservoir, keeping the Andean supervolcano alive. The study provides new insights into how large volcanoes work and could help increase chances of survival in case of a future eruption.
Researchers linked prolonged, heavy rainfall in May 2018 to the Kīlauea eruption, which was characterized by intense activity, lava flows, and ash clouds. The study suggests that water content changes in the Earth's shallow crust can trigger eruptions.
A 600-year study of lava flows on Réunion Island reveals a significant decline in large frugivore species after human colonization, leading to reduced plant diversity. The findings suggest that rewilding projects could help restore native frugivores and promote ecosystem recovery.
A study published in PLOS ONE describes five trackways containing 25 footprints from three types of animals: small synapsids, large dinosaurs, and quadrupedal dinosaurs. The fossils suggest that a variety of animals survived the intense environmental stress caused by volcanic activity.
A new study assesses the lava flow risk on Mt. Etna's flanks, highlighting high-risk areas near populated regions and critical infrastructure. The researchers used a GIS-based approach to map hazard, exposure, and risk, revealing that effusive eruptions could harm people, properties, and services.
Scientists from Technical University of Munich found that the plug dome's permeability drops significantly as stone alteration increases, leading to an imminent eruption. This discovery enables more reliable prediction of volcanic eruptions, with reduced outgassing being a key indicator of an impending event.
A new study has estimated the growth rates of deep-sea coral communities in Hawaii, revealing a pattern of ecological succession over centuries to millennia. The research found that Coralliidae, pink coral, were the first to colonize, followed by Isididae, bamboo coral, and Antipatharia, black coral.
Researchers found layers of ancient African dust in volcanic rocks and dune sands on Canary Islands, dating back to 4.8-2.8 million years ago. The findings agree with deep-sea sediments and suggest the Sahara Desert has taken breaks, with wetter periods interspersed with arid times.
A 2018 Kilauea eruption led to an unusual algae super bloom that stretched for miles, fueled by the perfect cocktail of nutrients from the ocean, including nitrate, silicic acid, iron, and phosphate. The bloom, which was hundreds of miles wide, was an unexpected outcome of the volcanic event.
A rapid-response oceanographic expedition studied the Kilauea Volcano's impact on marine ecosystems. High concentrations of nitrate in seawater triggered a strong phytoplankton bloom, contrary to expectations that lava would contain little nitrogen.
A study found that Kīlauea's 2018 eruption injected millions of cubic feet of molten lava into nutrient-poor waters, stimulating an extensive plume of microbes. The bloom was driven by high concentrations of nitrate, brought to the surface ocean through heat from lava input.
Researchers found that immediate robot responses stimulated wild Galápagos lizards to react more quickly and often than delayed responses. This may help lizards assess their competitors' aggression levels and avoid injury. The study used realistic robots to simulate displays, providing new insights into lizard communication.
Rice University researchers have developed a new fluid dynamic model that allows scientists to predict when an eruption will transition from spattering to flowing lava. This tool could help emergency officials prepare for potential hazards by providing early warnings of changing behavior.
Researchers have discovered primitive picrite lavas that may provide the first direct sample of a hot mantle plume underneath southern Africa during the Jurassic period. The Luenha picrites show compositional similarities to magmas formed in other deep mantle plume-related volcanic provinces worldwide.
Scientists have discovered that Earth's magnetic field reversal took at least 22,000 years to complete, contradicting previous estimates of up to 9,000 years. The new analysis provides a detailed look at the turbulent time when the field weakened and partially shifted before finally reversing.
Researchers found magnetic anomalies resembling those formed at mid-ocean ridge plate boundaries, suggesting Tamu Massif formed by mid-ocean ridge 'spreading' rather than as a shield volcano. The discovery weakens the accepted analogy between eruptions of continental flood basalts and oceanic plateaus.
A new study suggests that a strange mineral deposit near the landing site of NASA's next Mars rover is likely sourced from ancient volcanic explosions. The research provides tangible evidence for the importance of explosive volcanism on early Mars, shedding light on the water budget, groundwater abundance, and atmospheric thickness.
Researchers discover varied chemical composition in mantle materials, contrasting with mid-ocean ridge lava. The team's findings suggest that the mantle is not well-mixed and that different rocks melt at different temperatures.
A new analysis of oceanic crust cores has found distinct sections of rock with different chemical make-ups in the mantle. This variability could be linked to recycled oceanic crust and its interaction with the surrounding mantle.
Researchers precisely dated Deccan Traps volcanic eruptions, finding four pulses that released toxic gases into the atmosphere. The findings suggest a possible link between volcanic activity and dinosaur extinction, but the exact cause remains uncertain.
Researchers find evidence suggesting an asteroid/comet impact reignited massive volcanic eruptions in India, coinciding with the worldwide extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The eruptions, known as the Deccan Traps, produced climate-altering gases that may have played a role in the mass extinction.
Researchers from Heidelberg University discovered a large igneous province that could have triggered the Gaskiers glaciation approximately 580 million years ago. The basaltic eruptions covered an area of over 1,000 kilometers and may have led to short-term global warming before causing long-term climate effects.
Researchers created a model of the volcanic flank collapse caused by the eruption, predicting maximum wave heights and impact zones. The study aims to improve tsunami preparedness in the United States with advanced models and simulations.
Researchers conduct experiments with manmade lava to shed light on lava-water interactions, which can generate explosive eruptions. The study aims to improve scientists' ability to assess volcanic eruption risks.
The Sunset Crater volcano in Arizona, USA experienced a highly explosive sub-Plinian eruption with pyroclastic fall deposits, lava flows, and associated effects on pre-historic inhabitants. The eruption is considered one of the most explosive monogenetic eruptions studied to date.
Princeton University researchers have discovered a precise timeline for the Columbia River flood basalts, which they believe caused ancient global warming. The team's use of tiny zircon crystals has provided an unprecedented level of precision, revealing that 95% of the eruptions occurred within a 750,000-year window.
Researchers from Rutgers University discovered that lunar swirls are produced by strongly magnetized lava flows, challenging the existing understanding of the moon's geology. The study provides new insights into the moon's ancient volcanic activity and internally generated magnetic field.
Scientists have documented how individual side-blotched lizards can change colors to become darker on lava; they identified genes that regulate coloration and found genetic changes in the population adapted to the lava flow. These findings provide a detailed example of the Baldwin effect occurring in a wild population.
Scientists discovered that gas bubbles rising to the surface can alter volcanic gas composition, which affects eruption forecasts. The findings also suggest a new pathway for chemical changes in gases during large-scale eruptions.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison used an innovative approach to study the Laguna del Maule volcanic complex in Chile, measuring average uplift of 8 inches per year. The team found that magma rising under the area is causing rapid uplift, but also has a potential impact on future eruptions.
Researchers at the University of Manchester are using 4D scanning technology to predict the behavior of lava flows and volcanic eruptions. By studying crystallization in magmas, they can simulate the behavior of natural lava flows and better understand the hazards posed by fast-moving flows.
Researchers at Nyiragongo volcano use a combination of seismic, infrasound, and satellite data to track the lava lake level, providing insights into magmatic system activity. The study helps improve eruption forecasting by understanding the relationship between pressure changes in the magmatic system and lava lake fluctuations.
Researchers combined geological mapping and analysis to define possible hazard scenarios at Mount Taranaki volcano. The results indicate that future Plinian eruptions could produce different types of pyroclastic density currents, affecting urban areas up to 18 km away from the crater.
A team of scientists, including Kansas State University's Saugata Datta, will explore lava caves in Northern California using a robotic vehicle called CaveR. The research aims to understand the conditions necessary for life on Mars by studying similar environments on Earth.
Researchers at University of Liverpool identified the temperature at which cooling magma cracks to form geometric columns. The study found that columnar joints were formed around 840-890°C, indicating that the lava was hot before it solidified.
Research at Finnish Museum of Natural History sheds light on great magma eruptions, revealing two contrasting sources: the upper mantle and a deep mantle plume. This study resolves long-standing controversies and presents an interesting new framework for future geological research.
A team of scientists and medieval historians used ice cores and tree rings to date the Eldgjá volcanic eruption, which occurred soon after Iceland's settlement. The researchers found that memories of the eruption were used to stimulate the Christianisation of Iceland in medieval poem Voluspá.
Researchers analyzed infrasound from Villarrica volcano to predict eruptions, finding a connection between sound waves and lava lake changes. The study suggests that infrasound could aid in forecasting volcanic eruptions hours or days ahead.
New research reveals that Lake Tahoe's shoreline has shifted due to volcanic activity, with three raised shorelines formed by subaerial lava flows and dammed lake outlets. The lake's level rose nearly 200m after each of these events, raising questions about future volcanic eruptions and their hazards.
Researchers from Kobe University confirm a giant lava dome created 7300 years ago in Japan's Kikai Caldera, with a volume of over 32 cubic kilometers. The composition of the dome matches that of nearby Satsuma Iwo-jima Island, suggesting a possible current magma buildup.
A research team led by University of Tasmania and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution explored the Havre volcano using autonomous underwater vehicle and remotely operated vehicle. They found that the eruption was larger than expected, with more than 70% of volcanic activity occurring on the seafloor.
Geologists in Scotland have identified a 60-million-year-old meteorite strike on the Isle of Skye, revealing rare minerals from outer space. The discovery has sparked questions about the impact's connection to Paleogene volcanic activity across the North Atlantic.
Rhyolitic magmas exhibit varying viscosities, influencing eruption styles. The Munich researchers found minor chemical constituent variations impact viscosity and destructiveness.
A team of researchers has found that the magma body at Long Valley was much cooler before the eruption than previously thought. The discovery challenges the traditional view of a long period with a big tank of molten rock in the crust, instead suggesting that magma is stored for a short period in a cool, crystalline state.
New research from Oxford University sheds light on the formation of the Earth and its depletion of vital chemical elements. By simulating early Earth conditions, scientists found that melting and evaporation played a key role in shaping the planet's chemistry.
Using infrared satellite data, researchers have successfully predicted the end of lava flow-forming eruptions. The system detects heat emissions from erupting volcanoes and analyzes them to determine when the eruption will end. This approach has significant implications for reducing disturbance caused by volcanic eruptions.
Researchers developed a new technique combining seismic noise interferometry with geophysical measurements to predict volcanic eruptions. By analyzing the speed of energy traveling through a volcano and correlating it with rock deformation, they found a strong correlation between bulging, shrinking, and impending eruptions.
Scientists studied zircon crystals to understand magma reservoirs, finding a more solid and crystalline environment than previously thought. The research sheds light on the pre-eruption phase and how mobile magma contributes to volcanic activity.
A team of researchers led by Esteban Gazel discovered deep portions of Earth's mantle might be as hot as it was more than 2.5 billion years ago. They found magnesium concentrations and textural evidence similar to the mysterious Archean komatiites in rocks from the 90 million-year-old Tortugal Suite in Costa Rica.
Astronomers have obtained an exceptionally detailed map of the largest lava lake on Io, showing two waves of lava sweeping from west to east at about 3,300 feet per day. The temperature variation across the surface of the lake reveals a smooth gradient, with the western end at 270 Kelvin and the southeastern end at 330 Kelvin.
New NASA research on Mars volcano Arsia Mons suggests its peak volcanic activity occurred around 150 million years ago, similar to the time of Earth's Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that led to the demise of dinosaurs. The study provides valuable insights into the Red Planet's history and interior structure.
Researchers at LSU have found evidence of a complex mantle beneath the Elysium volcanic province on Mars, with geochemical changes suggesting primary magmatic processes. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding Mars' geological history and potential hazards for future human missions.