Articles tagged with Lava
Scientists propose mass melting as new force behind volcanic activity in eastern Oregon, suggesting a dynamic rupture lasting two million years across the Farallon slab. The study aims to explain the origins of sudden, massive eruptions of lava at the planet's surface.
A team of scientists from Oregon State University has discovered microbes that can thrive in cold, low-oxygen conditions similar to those on Mars. These microbes use the oxidation of iron from olivine as their energy source, a process previously undocumented.
A young underwater volcano has been mapped in unprecedented precision, reaching a height of 100m with lava tongue flows. The volcano's formation was confirmed by superimposing images from previous oceanographic surveys.
Researchers have collected rare boninite lava at the West Mata volcano, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of subduction zones. The discovery offers a unique opportunity to study the chemical and mineralogical variations of this ancient rock type in a pristine specimen.
Researchers re-examining the Hesperia Planum on Mars have discovered a complex landscape with narrow, sinuous channels that defy explanation. The team, led by Tracy Gregg, is seeking help from scientists studying similar features on the Moon to shed light on the channels' origins.
Researchers used MESSENGER data to confirm past volcanic activity on Mercury, which poured out huge volumes of lava 3.5-4 billion years ago
The recycling of the Earth's crust in volcanoes is faster than previously thought, with rock from oceanic crust resurfacing in the mantle within half a billion years. This discovery was made using volcanic rock samples and challenges the previous estimate of two billion years.
A team of scientists successfully forecast the eruption of Axial Seamount, an undersea volcano located off the Oregon coast. The eruption, which began in April, is believed to be at least three times larger than the previous 1998 eruption.
A small volcanic province has been discovered on the Moon's far side, revealing clues to its thermal history. The province was created by upwelling of silicic magma and challenges current ideas about the Moon's volcanic history.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered that rocks beneath Haiti are over a billion years old and originated from 1,000+ miles away. This finding suggests that the Caribbean tectonic plate has captured ancient continent fragments, which can be transported thousands of miles through the upper mantle.
Researchers confirm that volcanoes in Western Victoria and South Australia are due for an eruption, with a recurrence rate of 2,000 years.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered high concentrations of CO2 in deep-sea volcanic ash deposits, confirming explosive eruptions can occur. This finding has significant implications for the global carbon cycle, particularly at mid-ocean ridges.
Researchers collected ancient rock samples from underwater volcanoes, shedding light on the formation of hotspots and volcanic trails. The expedition aimed to determine if hotspots are stationary or move over time.
The February 2011 Geosphere issue explores recent advances in Grenville geology, including pegmatite geochronology and 3D characterization of sandstone using X-ray CT. This themed issue honors James McLelland's contributions to understanding the Grenville Province.
A team of researchers at Brown University discovered a mineral deposit on Mars that speaks of a warm and wet past, potentially preserving evidence of microbial life. The deposit, located in the Syrtis Major volcanic zone, is believed to have formed in a hydrothermal environment.
A team of researchers led by Thomas Algeo from the University of Cincinnati analyzed chemical evidence from rocks formed during the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which wiped out 90% of all living species. The study suggests that massive volcanic eruptions in Siberia and global climate change contributed to the catastrophic event.
Researchers found evidence for the oldest Earth mantle reservoir on Baffin Island, dating back to between 4.55 and 4.45 billion years ago. The discovery suggests an alternative to the traditional chondritic model of the Earth's composition.
This issue of Geosphere highlights the geological processes that produce magma pulses and sheets in tabular intrusions. The study reveals a link between shallow igneous intrusions and volcanic activity, demonstrating how intrusive sheeting can destabilize volcano flanks and trigger eruptions.
New data collected from the IODP Shatsky Rise expedition provides insights into the formation of supervolcanoes and their impact on Earth's geologic record. The study sheds light on the relationship between supervolcano formation and tectonic plate boundaries.
Scientists uncover clues to unlocking the origin and triggering mechanism of massive underwater volcanic eruptions, shedding light on Earth's geologic record. The study of Shatsky Rise, a 145 million-year-old supervolcano, provides insights into the processes of volcanism and plate tectonics.
Scientists from NASA and the European Space Agency found evidence of relatively young lava flows on Venus, suggesting the planet remains capable of volcanic eruptions. These findings indicate that volcanic activity on Venus is likely gradual rather than cataclysmic.
A Brown University-led team discovered that massive volcanic eruptions led to a spike in atmospheric carbon dioxide, wiping out half of plant species and decimating crurotarsans. This allowed early theropods, including dinosaurs, to become dominant in the animal world.
Researchers find evidence that a Martian channel was formed by lava flows, contradicting previous theories that suggested water carving. The discovery has implications for the geological evolution of Mars and our understanding of its potential for life.
Researchers have developed a detailed volcanic hazard map for the island of Gran Canaria by analyzing 13 new radiocarbon ages. The map indicates that the area of greatest volcanic activity is in the north east of the island, which has experienced 24 eruptions over the past 11,000 years.
Oceanographers using WHOI-operated ROV Jason discovered the first video and still images of a deep-sea volcano actively erupting molten lava on the seafloor, nearly 4,000 feet below the surface. The high-definition camera system captured the powerful event in detail, providing scientists with a unique up-close view of the eruption.
Researchers have discovered the deepest undersea erupting volcano, West Mata Volcano, located nearly 4,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The eruption has produced unique boninite lavas and acidic water conditions, providing a rare opportunity to study magma formation and oceanic cycles.
Researchers used ancient volcanic rocks to determine Earth's magnetic field was structured like today's two-pole model, resolving a long-standing debate. This finding may lead to better understanding of historical continental movement and its impact on climate.
A team of scientists has discovered a previously unknown species of crustacean, Speleonectes atlantida, in the Tunnel de la Atlantida lava tube on Lanzarote. The new species is morphologically similar to another remipede found in the same cave system and is believed to be an ancient relic isolated from the main Caribbean group.
A team of scientists has deployed a seismic network around Isla Isabela in the Galapagos to study Sierra Negra volcano. The new data will provide the first 3-D pictures of the volcanic plumbing system, helping to clarify its depth and extent.
Recent studies on mud transport, Appalachian promontories, Pisco valley drainage basins, and Eocene Arctic forests shed light on geological processes. The findings suggest that abiogenic methane emissions may be more prevalent than thought and reveal clues about ancient life in the High Arctic.
Scientists discover carbon-based lavas are sourced from the upper mantle through partial melting of typical minerals, producing extremely fluid and low-silica lavas. The study reveals a uniform reservoir of volcanic gases beneath both oceans and continents.
Researchers believe Nyiragongo's unique lava is coming from a pristine deep-mantle source, identical to ancient asteroids. The discovery may indicate the beginning of a new mantle plume, contributing to volcanism and earthquakes in the region.
A team of researchers used seismic waves to create CAT-scan-like images of the Soufriere Hills Volcano's internal structure. The study found an elongated magma chamber that fills with magma, causing it to decompress and resulting in greater eruptions than expected.
Researchers used a mixture of water and corn starch to reproduce the hexagonal columns found at popular tourist sites like Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway. They established a relationship between column size and speed of drying, finding that slower cooling processes produce larger columns.
A team of researchers found that magma is continuously supplied from deep in the crust but a valve acts below a shallower magma chamber, releasing lava to the surface periodically. The upper reservoir is open and the lower reservoir refills at half the rate it was lost during lulls in eruption.
Scientists have found that magma recharges volcanoes repeatedly, causing episodic eruptions at the surface. This new understanding increases the challenge of predicting future eruptions, with implications for volcanic monitoring and management.
Ancient lava flows from Tahiti and western Germany have provided insights into past patterns of the Earth's magnetic field. The study suggests that a second magnetic field source in the shallow core may play a role in determining how and whether the main field reverses direction.
Scientists have discovered a new tool for reconstructing planetary origins using iron isotopes in lava samples from the Kilauea Iki crater. The findings contradict previous views on isotopic variations and provide evidence for a giant collision between Earth and another large object to form the moon.
R.D. Schuiling suggests using dolomite or limestone to react with hot lava, cooling it down and solidifying it, potentially saving thousands of lives and homes during future eruptions. He proposes various methods for deploying these rocks, including helicopter drops and aerial cable systems.
Researchers have mapped the 8-mile thick molten rock layers beneath the Atlantic Ocean's edges, providing insight into the break-up of continents and massive greenhouse gas releases. The study also developed a new method to see through lava flows, enabling oil exploration in previously restricted areas.
A series of massive volcanic eruptions in India may have killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, rather than a meteor impact. Microscopic marine fossils found in sediments near the Bay of Bengal support this theory, directly linking the Deccan Traps to the mass extinction event.
Researchers confirmed a direct link between volcanic eruptions and global warming, with sea surface temperatures rising by up to six degrees in the Arctic. The study analyzed ash layers and marine fossil records to establish this connection about 55 million years ago.
Scientists discover that seismic data cannot reliably map boundaries between rock units in young oceanic crust, altering views on new crust formation and life deep below the seafloor. Despite this limitation, seismic data holds keys to understanding fluid circulation and subsurface biosphere.
Researchers at Rutgers University have found chemical evidence of recycled rocks in Hawaiian volcanoes, suggesting the Earth's crust is being recycled on a grand scale. This discovery extends beyond calcium and includes other elements such as sulfur, hafnium, and lead, which provide clues about the origin and behavior of magma.
Researchers captured an unprecedented view of an underwater volcanic eruption using instruments on the seafloor. The discovery revealed new information about the geological and biological processes at play in deep-sea environments.
Researchers at Brown University and Columbia's Earth Institute recovered two lost ocean-bottom seismometers, providing unprecedented insights into the process of seafloor spreading. The data from the instruments reveals increasing seismic activity before a major episode of seafloor creation, offering a unique 'ear to earth's belly'.
Maya Tolstoy and colleagues were thrilled to discover that two-thirds of their ocean bottom seismometers were trapped in fresh lava flows, giving them a unique opportunity to study the process of seafloor spreading. Preliminary analysis reveals signs of recent volcanic eruptions and suggests that future eruptions may be forecastable.
Geologists at Rutgers University have created three hands-on demonstrations to explain how volcanoes form and evolve. These interactive activities captivate kids while providing a solid foundation for studying earth science in high school. The demos show the actual forces that caused Mt. St. Helens and Kilauea eruptions.
Researchers observed eruptive activity at Northwest Rota-1 for three separate visits over two years, suggesting chronic eruptions. They used an underwater robot to observe explosive activity from 10 feet away, gaining clearer insights than possible on land.
Researchers used a mathematical model to explain the shifting of Heart Mountain. The dikes in the rock filled with hot lava created extreme fluid pressures, leading to the mountain's movement. Dr. Einat Aharonov and Dr. Mark Anders' study offers new insights into this phenomenon.
Researchers studied hurricane-force wind estimation using synthetic aperture radar and found a newly-developed model outperforms previous methods. Additionally, weakened thermohaline circulation led to increased snow cover over Europe due to reduced atmospheric circulation and changed climate influences. The Arctic Ocean's change also ...
A large and fast-moving lava flow is pouring into the sea on Montagu Island, extending the shoreline on its north side. The event is special because it's rare to observe eruptions under ice sheets, providing unique insights for researchers like Dr John Smellie.
Researchers have found that the Deccan Traps, a massive lava flow in India, may have released climate-changing gases quickly enough to cause a deadly global climate shift. The team's study suggests that the eruptions could have contributed to the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.
Researchers studied tiltmeter data from the Soufriere Hills Volcano to understand its behavior and inner workings. They found that pressure is centered around a half mile below the dome or nearly 2.5 miles above the magma chamber, suggesting a more extensive region involved in pressurization.
Researchers found that volcanic eruptions produce a relatively short atmospheric response with no discernible effects from the volcanic events afterward. Additionally, analysis using climate models suggests that the North Atlantic Oscillation may intensify with further increases in greenhouse gas concentrations.
The CALIPSO project is the first volcano monitoring system of its type installed at an andesitic volcano. By comparing measurements with a computer model, researchers can understand what's happening beneath the surface. The goal is to measure magma reservoir size, magma inflow, and magma characteristics.
A multinational team of scientists has found microscopic life colonized in ancient volcanic lava dating back nearly 3.5 billion years. The discovery was made in the Barberton Greenstone Belt, a location that was previously thought to be inhospitable for life.
Scientists studying lava lakes on Io believe they may be similar to mid-ocean ridges on Earth, generating new crust through volcanic activity. This similarity suggests that Io provides insight into Earth's primitive history.
Researchers challenge traditional explanations for explosive eruptions, suggesting that continuous fragmentation of magma can prevent explosive releases. This theory helps explain the difference in water content between effusive and explosive lava flows.
A team of scientists has found evidence that a massive ancient meteorite struck the Earth 251 million years ago, triggering climate change and volcanic activity. This led to the extinction of nearly nine-tenths of all life on Earth.