Articles tagged with Volcanoes
Using 1980s environmental inventories, researchers found that disaster risk assessment could have predicted the damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The study compared composite risk maps from the 1980s with post-2011 hazard maps to show a significant increase in high-risk areas.
The Subduction Zones in Four Dimensions (SZ4D) initiative aims to improve understanding of subduction zone hazards through a collaborative effort. The plan involves deploying new instrumentation and developing more accurate models to predict large earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.
Researchers used the parallax effect to measure the height of the volcano's plume, reaching an altitude of 57 km, surpassing previous records. The study provides new insights into volcanic eruptions and their impact on the climate.
A study reveals a consistent pairing of volcanic ash and low ocean oxygen events during times of rapid climate warming at the end of the last ice age. The research suggests that volcanic eruptions may increase as the planet warms, posing risks to populated regions.
Magma is rising to about 6 miles from a depth of 12 miles, causing earthquakes and surface deformation. The new approach could lead to earlier detection of volcanic unrest in Alaska.
Researchers find that airborne chemical methyl bromide is a compelling indicator of biological activity on other planets. Its detectability increases around M dwarf stars, making it an attractive target for future missions to search for extraterrestrial life.
New research proposes that intense Andean volcanism around seven million years ago may have contributed to the Late Miocene Cooling Event, leading to the extinctions of ancient marine mammals. The study suggests that ash from ongoing volcanism could have poisoned the air or led to toxic algae blooms.
A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that the Tonga volcano eruption stimulated a rapid and massive bloom of ocean phytoplankton, covering an area nearly 40 times the size of Oahu within just 48 hours. The bloom was triggered by the deposition of volcanic ash, which supplied nutrients for phytoplankton growth.
Researchers at KAUST have identified thermophilic bacteria with potential to degrade oil contamination. The study reveals that certain bacteria can secrete surfactants and absorb emulsified petroleum into their cells for degradation via enzymatic activity.
Sturt Manning's statistical analysis has narrowed the time range for the Thera volcano eruption to between 1609–1560 BCE with a 95.4% probability. This new timeline synchronizes Eastern Mediterranean civilizations and rules out ancillary theories, potentially rewriting history.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge's CSER highlight the need for improved surveillance and public education to mitigate the impact of volcanic eruptions. The risk of a magnitude seven explosion in the next 100 years is one-in-six, with potential consequences including abrupt climate change and collapse of civilizations.
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 at Mainz University found the Cumbre Vieja lava to be exceptionally low in viscosity, resulting in rapid flow and devastating damage. The study published in Nature Communications revealed that the lava's composition, particularly its silica content, contributed to its fluidity.
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.
Researchers have taken a detailed image of an unusual pocket of rock at the boundary layer with Earth's core, revealing complex internal variability. The discovery supports existing proposals that the zone contains more iron than surrounding rocks, potentially linking it to ancient rocks or unknown core leakage.
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 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.
Scientists have found a new way dunes can form on Io's surface, which is icy and roiling. The researchers used mathematical equations to simulate the forces on a single grain of basalt or frost and calculate its path.
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.
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.
Researchers estimate 60,000-year timeline of massive volcanic eruptions, finding 85 large global eruptions and 69 larger than the 1815 Mount Tambora eruption. This new data helps improve climate models by providing insights into Earth's climate sensitivity.
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 have discovered a surprisingly soft mineral, davemaoite, that plays a crucial role in the Earth's recycling of rocks. The study suggests that davemaoite is around 1,000 times softer than other minerals in the mantle, and its mechanical properties can help explain how earthquakes and volcanoes occur.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists have discovered a 900-mile mantle pipeline stretching from the Gal ªgapos Hotspot to Central America, suggesting that hotspots are not fixed in place. This new finding transforms our understanding of geologic processes occurring beneath the Earth's surface.
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 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 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 study found magma continued to ooze out from an ancient supervolcano in Indonesia for 5000 to 13,000 years after the super-eruption. This discovery challenges existing knowledge and requires re-evaluation of eruption hazards. Supervolcanoes remain a threat for thousands of years after a super-eruption.
Scientists discovered that volcanic arcs, including chains like the Andes and Cascades, played a crucial role in regulating atmospheric CO2 levels over the past 400 million years. This natural feedback mechanism helped maintain a stable climate, but recent human-driven emissions have disrupted this balance.
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 new indicator called sea color has been proposed by a scientist at Hiroshima University to predict volcanic unrest in submarine volcanoes. The researcher analyzed satellite images of Nishinoshima Island and detected signs of looming eruption approximately a month before the actual event, using sea discoloration data obtained from space.
Researchers from Uppsala University and others found new clues about Indonesia's explosive volcanoes by analyzing lava minerals. The study enhances our understanding of how volcanism in the Indonesian archipelago works, helping predict volcanic eruptions.
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.
New data on Anak Krakatau volcano flank collapse provides a clearer picture of the event, which triggered a devastating tsunami in Indonesia. The research used synthetic aperture radar images, field observations, and aerial photographs to create a more accurate model of the volcano before and after it collapsed.
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.
Researchers have discovered surprisingly shallow magma pools too small to be detected by common volcano monitoring equipment, posing new risks for eruptions. These hidden magma bodies challenge conventional views of magma detection and may lead to more explosive eruptions than expected.
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 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.
Scientists captured data over 13 years as the volcano's magma chamber gradually refilled, stressing the surrounding crust and creating earthquakes. The study provides new insights into the Galapagos Islands' most active volcano, Sierra Negra, and its caldera resurgence.
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.
Researchers have detected unusual earthquake sequences in central Utah's Black Rock Desert, highlighting the region's active volcanic system. The quakes were shallower and produced lower-frequency seismic energy than usual, suggesting a different origin than other Utah earthquakes.
Researchers have developed a method to detect flank instability in volcanoes using satellite images, revealing surface deformation related to flank motion at Pacaya volcano. The technique provides finer detail of volcanic flank motion and can reveal upticks in the rate that creep is occurring.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that Kamchatka's Shiveluch volcano contains around 10%-14% water by weight, a significantly higher amount than most volcanoes. This finding is significant as it could provide insights into the global water cycle and the plumbing systems of other volcanoes.
Researchers reconstruct ancient Sunset Crater eruption, revealing high-explosivity phase with ash reaching 20km high. The study highlights the importance of carbon dioxide in volcanic eruptions and its potential impact on global climate.
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.
Scientists at University of Sydney discover volcanic activity along Australia's east coast is caused by a special volatile mix of molten rock bubbling up from the younger, thinner crust. The findings, published in Science Advances, suggest there could be more volcanic activity in the future.
Researchers suggest a cluster of Alaskan islands may be part of a single, undiscovered giant volcano, with implications for understanding caldera-forming eruptions and the frequent explosive activity at Mount Cleveland. The proposed caldera would be even larger than Okmok and could have had significant global effects.
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.
Researchers have used powerful seismic imaging techniques to study the Alaska coastline's volcanic activity, revealing unexpected details about tectonic plates and volcano distribution. The new research highlights complexities in subduction zones and how they control volcano formation.
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.