Articles tagged with Volcanic Eruptions
Researchers found that intense volcanic activity led to a surge in phosphorus levels, driving ocean oxygen levels down and triggering a severe mass extinction. The study suggests that natural weathering of volcanic material may have been responsible for the sudden cooling events.
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 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.
The Sierra Nevada mountain range in California has a complex history, with two distinct periods of formation. The ancient range was formed around 100 million years ago as a volcanic chain, but was later dwarfed by a vast plateau. Volcanic activity around 40 million to 20 million years ago lifted the Earth's surface, forming new mountai...
A Rutgers University study reveals that volcanic eruptions can cool the climate, weaken monsoons, and reduce crop harvests, making dynasties more susceptible to collapse. The research suggests that smaller eruptions may cause dynasties to fall when political stress is already high.
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.
Volcanic eruptions impact monsoon rainfall differently globally, dominated by pre-eruption ENSO phases according to a study. Regional responses are varied and can be explained by the underlying mechanism of SST anomalies triggered by volcanic eruptions.
A new study found that four distinct episodes of volcanic activity coincided with significant environmental changes, including the Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode, which drove animal and plant diversification. The research suggests that large volcanic eruptions had a profound impact on global temperature and humidity.
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.
Researchers discovered elevated mercury levels before and during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a 150,000-year period of extreme warming. The study suggests that 'tipping points' in the Earth's system triggered the release of additional carbon reservoirs, driving unprecedented high temperatures.
Researchers found that large volcanic eruptions may have stimulated population surges of marine microorganisms, creating the first puffs of oxygen into the atmosphere. This would change existing stories of Earth's early atmosphere and has implications for extraterrestrial life and climate change.
A team of scientists used low-cost sensor networks to map pollution exposure in real-time during the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption. The study provided highly granular estimates of human exposure to fine particulate matter and sulfur dioxide gas, enabling communities to make informed decisions about their health.
Researchers found that climate change will amplify the temporary cooling caused by large eruptions and reduce its effect on small- and medium-sized eruptions. The study used global climate models to simulate how volcanic aerosols might be affected by warming scenarios.
Researchers identified seven 'pinch points' where moderate eruptions could have catastrophic global consequences, including disruptions to global supply chains and financial systems. These regions include Taiwan, North Africa, the North Atlantic, and the US state of Washington.
Researchers found a 40-meter fall in sea level increases eruption likelihood at Santorini and possibly other volcanoes worldwide. Climate change impacts volcanic activity, particularly as ice sheets retreat and global sea levels rise.
Researchers analyzed data from Kīlauea's caldera collapse to characterize friction at a large scale. The study confirms the role of slip-weakening distance in earthquake mechanics and provides insights into the physics governing caldera collapses.
A massive volcanic eruption in Indonesia about 74,000 years ago likely caused severe climate disruption globally, but early human populations were relatively unaffected. The study suggests that regional variation in climate impacts occurred, with the Northern Hemisphere experiencing cooling of at least 4°C.
A study suggests that the Toba supereruption led to regional variations in climate impacts, with cooling predictions ranging from 4°C to 10°C in the Northern Hemisphere. Early human populations in these regions thrived despite the eruption's severity, according to independent archaeological evidence.
A team of geologists reviewed the literature on volcanic eruptions, determining that most magma rising from depth doesn't cause an eruption. Older volcanoes produce less frequent but larger eruptions. The analysis helps refine models to reduce the impact of volcanic eruptions on nearby populations.
Researchers deployed a network of low-cost sensors to measure sulfur dioxide and particulate matter concentrations in volcanic smog during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. The system enabled fine-scale measurements and monitoring of plume chemical evolution over time, providing valuable insights into extreme air quality events.
Scientists investigate volcanic deposits and flows in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts to better understand pyroclastic surge movement across complex terrain. The research aims to improve knowledge of volcanic hazards and inform hazard assessments.
A recent study suggests that a massive Toba supervolcano eruption destroyed the ozone layer around 60,000 years ago, contributing to a significant bottleneck in the human population. The team found that the resulting UV stress had severe effects on human survival rates, including crop failures and disease.
Researchers at University of Arizona discovered evidence of recent volcanic activity on Mars, suggesting eruptions could have taken place in past 50,000 years. The discovery of a previously unknown volcanic deposit raises possibility of habitable conditions below Martian surface.
Research reveals that submarine volcanic eruptions can release massive amounts of energy, enough to power the whole US, by forming megaplumes and dispersing ash. The study suggests that these eruptions lead to rapid emptying of hot fluid reservoirs within the earth's crust.
Researchers have gained new insights into volcanic behavior and can now track unrest before eruptions, enabling early warnings for local authorities and the public. The study provides a detailed description of Sierra Negra's 2018 eruption, capturing its inflation, fracture, and caldera resurgence.
A new study found that respiratory diseases increased by nearly a quarter in Iceland following the Holuhraun lava eruption in 2014-2015. The research highlights the need for decision-makers to prepare for health issues associated with returning emissions from volcanic eruptions.
Researchers analyze Deccan Traps CO2 budgets and find that volcanic carbon emissions alone couldn't cause global warming, but magmas releasing CO2 beneath the surface could explain a warming event. The study provides new insights into the role of volcanism in shaping Earth's climate.
The Deccan Traps volcanic province shows that magmas rich in carbon dioxide erupted prior to the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. The study suggests that both surface eruptions and underground gas release are necessary to account for global warming leading up to this event.
An international team of researchers has discovered a new type of basalt beneath the Pacific Ocean, which was formed during large and exceptionally hot volcanic eruptions. The discovery suggests that ocean floor eruptions sourced in the Earth's mantle were even hotter and more voluminous than previously thought.
Researchers discover that thermal unrest can occur for several years before an eruption, allowing for early warning signs. The study used satellite data to analyze the radiant temperature of volcanoes' flanks, revealing a clear correlation with impending eruptions.
A new study reveals details of Sierra Negra's eruption, filling gaps in scientists' understanding of volcanic processes. The research integrated geophysical data with chemical analysis of the erupted lava, capturing a unique dataset that provides insight into future eruptions.
Researchers describe unprecedented level of detail on Sierra Negra's eruption, shedding light on volcano behavior and predicting future hazards. The study combines data from instruments and chemical analysis to better understand caldera resurgence and earthquake triggers.
Scientists have created a new numerical model to estimate the dimensions of umbrella clouds contributing to volcanic ash deposits. This tool helps understand past large explosive eruptions and improve forecast of future events. The research was applied to the 2,500-year-old eruption of Pululagua volcano in Ecuador.
A new study by geoscientists finds that the reactivation of Steamboat Geyser does not foretell any upcoming volcanic eruptions in Yellowstone National Park. The researchers discovered a relationship between the column height of the geyser and the depth of its reservoir, with deeper reservoirs resulting in higher eruption jets.
A recent study reconstructed the geologic events leading to the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, revealing a sequence of cascading events that drove major destruction. The research team found that focusing on broader, longer history can help overcome tunnel vision and improve eruption forecasting.
Research led by KAUST scientists Evgeniya Predybaylo and Georgiy Stenchikov found that volcanic eruptions have a stronger effect on the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in summer. The study, which analyzed over 6,000 climate simulations, shows that seasonal timing of eruptions matters for predicting climate responses.
A study reveals carbon dioxide from volcanic eruptions likely caused the end-Triassic mass extinction. The apparent increase in light carbon may have been caused by local sea level decline and microbial mats prior to the event.
A new method using zircon crystals reveals that up to 350 km3 of magma are stored below Nevado de Toluca volcano, potentially leading to devastating eruptions. This technique provides a resolution two times higher than existing methods and is applicable to most types of volcanoes.
Researchers discovered that volcanic eruptions in Greenland and Iceland could have caused cooling episodes during the Eocene Epoch, solving a long-standing mystery about glendonites. This finding suggests that abrupt climate change is possible even in otherwise warmer climates.
Researchers created model simulations of the 1257 CE Mount Samalas eruption using tree-ring records and emissions data. The study found that as little as 1% of halogen released from the eruption reached the stratosphere, suggesting potential for substantial ozone depletion despite small amounts.
Researchers pinpointed the date of the Ilopango volcano's Tierra Blanca Joven eruption, identifying its impacts on climate and society. The eruption is believed to have cooled the atmosphere by 0.5 °C for a few years, with effects largely limited to the local region.
Tiny crystals containing iron, silicon, and aluminium increase magma viscosity, leading to violent eruptions. The discovery explains the mystery of sudden volcano eruptions, providing insights into geochemical processes.
Large volcanic eruptions improve monsoon predictability by synchronizing with El Niño events, making it easier to anticipate seasonal rainfall in India. This finding helps develop climate models and assess regional implications of geo-engineering experiments.
A new study suggests that volcanic ash can persist in the air for months after an eruption, potentially hastening the transformation of volcanic gases and darkening the planet. The discovery was made using real-world observations and advanced computer simulations of the Mount Kelut eruption on Java in 2014.
A new data synthesis finds that nearly 3000 volcanoes have erupted over the last 2.6 million years, many associated with subsurface signatures of currently active magma within the shallow crust. The research reveals new details about the complex and time-evolving patterns of rising magma in the region.
Researchers discovered evidence of massive volcanic eruptions in Central Texas that caused global cooling 13,000 years ago. The study indicates that the Younger Dryas cooling event was not caused by an extraterrestrial impact but rather a combination of Earth-based processes.
A study published in Science Advances found that volcanic eruptions, rather than meteor impacts, were responsible for the rapid cooling of the Earth around 13,000 years ago. The research team analyzed sediment layers in Hall's Cave, a central Texas cave with a record extending over 20,000 years.
Researchers studied Telica Volcano, using photos collected from 1994-2017 and photogrammetric techniques to quantify changes in crater morphology. They found that crater wall collapse is a primary mechanism for changing volcano shape.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have found evidence suggesting that a megaeruption of an Alaskan volcano, Okmok, may be responsible for widespread climate change in ancient Rome and Egypt. The eruption is believed to have occurred around 43 BCE, causing temperatures to drop by as much as seven degrees Celsius.
Researchers have discovered ancient volcanic activity and subtle, unusual movements in the Earth's surface in the Eifel region of Germany, suggesting a greater risk to northwestern Europe. The study suggests that the region is an active volcanic system with significant seismic activity.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that asteroid impact caused an impact winter decades long, decimating dinosaur habitats worldwide. In contrast, volcanic eruptions had a limited effect on global ecosystems.
An international research group has demonstrated a mechanism for explosive disintegration of magma under water pressure. The team used a diving robot to examine ash deposits on the seabed and conducted experiments in a laboratory setting, revealing processes similar to those that occurred at a depth of 1,000 meters on the sea floor.
Researchers used 3D magnetotelluric imaging to image magma reservoirs beneath Weishan volcano, revealing vertically distributed low-resistivity anomalies and melt fractions of over 15%. The findings suggest the volcano is in an active stage with potential for future eruptions.
A massive volcanic eruption in 43 BCE, linked to the Okmok volcano in Alaska, may have contributed to the unusual climate events that coincided with the fall of the Roman Republic. The eruption produced two years of prolonged cooling and increased precipitation, likely exacerbating crop failures, famine, and disease.
Researchers applied a new Gaussian mathematical model to high-precision laser 40Ar/39Ar dating data from the Tengchong area, resolving 3 volcanic eruptive stages: Pliocene (3.78 Ma), early Middle Pleistocene (0.63 Ma) and late Middle Pleistocene (0.139 Ma). The method reduces uncertainty and defines stages with high precision.
A new study published in Geology has discovered two newly identified super-eruptions associated with the Yellowstone hotspot, indicating a possible decline in its intensity. The Grey's Landing super-eruption is now the largest recorded event of the entire Snake-River-Yellowstone volcanic province.
Researchers warn that a violent Philippine volcanic eruption could lead to an El Niño event, intense polar vortex, and Eurasian warming. The Taal volcano's ongoing eruption has the potential to produce hazardous consequences for the Earth's climate.
A recent study reveals that volcanic eruptions in the tropics lead to a decrease in global precipitation, primarily through the amplification of El Niño. The research found that the strength of El Niño is directly related to the magnitude of precipitation reduction.