Articles tagged with Volcanoes
A new study finds that massive volcanism sent great waves of carbon into the oceans thousands of years ago, but human emissions are now three to eight times faster. The consequences for life on land and in the water could be catastrophic.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 at the University of Miami found that prolonged and extreme rainfall in Hawaii's Big Island triggered the 2018 Kīlauea volcano eruption. The team suggests local rainfall patterns contribute to timing and frequency of eruptions, with potential implications for other volcanoes.
Researchers used a new geochemical tool to analyze volatile elements in Earth's interior, revealing that nitrogen has been present since the planet's formation. The method, which identifies air contamination, provides valuable insights into the evolution of our planet and may also be used to monitor volcanic activity.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have found that Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador is showing early warning signals of a potential collapse. The volcano's western flank is displaying rapid deformation, which could lead to a colossal landslide and widespread damage to the surrounding area.
A new technique uses seismic waves from distant earthquakes to image the subterranean structure of Cleveland volcano. The study, published in Scientific Reports, resolved the architecture of the lower and middle crust for the first time, providing crucial information for emergency planning and saving human lives.
Researchers have discovered a new petit-spot volcano in the Pacific Ocean near Minamitorishima Island, Japan. The young volcano is thought to have erupted less than 3 million years ago and provides valuable insights into the asthenosphere.
The Deep Carbon Observatory team estimates that only 0.02% of Earth's total carbon is above surface, while the rest is subsurface. Volcanic CO2 emissions are estimated to be 280-360 million tonnes per year, dwarfed by human-induced emissions.
Researchers at GFZ Potsdam identified clear warning signs before the Anak Krakatau volcano's flank collapse, which triggered a deadly tsunami. The study analyzed data from various sources, including satellites and seismic data, to better understand the event and improve early warning systems for other volcanoes.
A 900-mile stretch of volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire became dormant for 10 million years due to a prominent bend in the Hawaiian Islands chain and a crack in the Pacific Ocean Plate. The crack, formed by opposing plates moving in opposite directions, disrupted the water-laden conveyor belt that drives volcanic activity.
Researchers have discovered a connection between earthquakes and volcanic eruptions at Mount Aso in Japan. By analyzing very long period seismic waves, they found that earthquakes can trigger changes in pressure variations associated with magmatic activity, leading to eruptions.
Researchers developed a new method to predict vent location forecasts by combining physics and statistics, successfully testing it on the Campi Flegrei caldera in Italy. The approach improves accuracy for predicting future eruptions and expanding ash plumes, providing valuable insights for land usage planning in volcanic areas.
A new volcano monitoring platform, MOUNTS, analyzes satellite images using artificial intelligence to detect precursory signals and provide early warnings for volcanic eruptions. The platform, which integrates multiple sets of diverse data types, has been successfully tested on recent events and currently monitors 17 volcanoes worldwide.
Researchers discovered unusual rocks in East Africa that provide clues into the hazards associated with active volcanoes. The rocks, formed by intense eruptions, suggest that future eruptions at these volcanoes have the potential to cause significant harm, further from the volcano than previously thought.
Geoscientists have found evidence that material from the transition zone in Earth's mantle can percolate to the surface to form volcanoes. This discovery provides a new understanding of the relationship between the transition zone and volcanism, with implications for global geodynamics and the evolution of our planet.
Volcano seismologist Jacqueline Caplan-Auerbach studies Loihi's 1996 eruption for parallels to Kilauea's 2018 activity, suggesting a caldera collapse mechanism. Loihi's recent increase in seismicity may indicate magma replenishment, predicting Kilauea could be quiet for a decade before reactivating.
Scientists have discovered a major deep carbon sink linked to microbes near volcano chains, storing up to 19% more CO2 than previously believed. This finding reveals the critical role of microorganisms in buffering climate change by incorporating and forming calcite.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that volcanic eruptions in the Siberian Traps led to a global catastrophe known as the Great Dying, which killed off 95% of life on Earth. The eruptions released massive amounts of mercury vapor into the atmosphere, causing acid rain and warming the planet.
Researchers propose that metallic asteroids could have erupted volcanoes spewing liquid iron, with signs of 'ferrovolcanism' potentially detectable in iron meteorites. The study suggests NASA's Psyche mission may uncover evidence of past eruptions on the asteroid.
The Cascades Arc is home to a string of volcanoes with radically different histories, sparking researchers to look beyond individual volcanoes. By analyzing heat flow, seismic wave speeds, and other data sources, scientists aim to understand why some volcanoes erupt differently than others.
A new study by University of East Anglia researchers reveals that steep cliffs on volcanoes can cause a reversal in the pattern of deformation, leading to inaccurate tilt measurements. This affects data collected by monitoring equipment, such as tiltmeters, which are often placed on caldera rims.
A University of Queensland-led study reveals how quickly magma moves to the surface, providing a better understanding of volcanic systems. The research also sheds light on the internal 'plumbing' of volcanoes, improving frameworks for monitoring eruptions and unrest.
Scientists from Cardiff University propose that volcanic activity played a significant role in the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama, which formed around 2.8 million years ago. This discovery sheds light on one of Earth's most significant geological events, affecting global weather patterns and biodiversity.
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.
Researchers at Imperial College London suggest volcanoes are fueled by solid crystals and magma in small gaps, not molten magma chambers. This new model explains how eruptions occur and has implications for public safety and metal ore deposit formation.
A team of vulcanologists from ETH Zurich has found evidence suggesting the Phlegraean Fields are in the early stage of a new caldera cycle, which could lead to another massive eruption. The researchers used rock samples from previous eruptions to reconstruct the conditions in the crust and create a model of the cycle.
A new study on Ceres reveals that the dwarf planet's ice volcanoes generate an average of more than 13,000 cubic yards of cryovolcanic material each year. This amount is equivalent to filling a movie theater or four Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to reveal a 20-30 mile diameter subsurface batholith, which diverted magma outside the Cascade Arc, forming Mount St. Helens. The study provides clearer insights into the volcano's formation and potential for future activity.
A new study by a Virginia Tech geoscientist reveals that the Yellowstone super-volcano was powered by a gigantic ancient oceanic plate, not heat from the Earth's core. This ancient plate broke into pieces, resulting in explosive volcanic eruptions over the past 16 million years.
Researchers found a common magma source connecting the two volcanoes, which led to changes in behavior before and after an eruption. The study provides new insights into volcano interactions and potential hazards in densely populated areas.
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 discovered that microorganisms in the sediment are extremely active and produce about 90% of the methane released from mud volcanoes. The study found that chemical processes play a smaller role in methane production, indicating that mud volcanoes have a significant impact on the global methane cycle.
New research published in Icarus suggests Mars had a cold and icy ancient climate, with evidence of volcanism interacting with ice sheets. The findings identify three distinct mineral combinations associated with glaciers, providing insight into the planet's past.
The mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Volcanoes has more than doubled over the past three decades due to concerted conservation efforts. A recent census found a minimum of 604 gorillas, representing a 26% increase from the previous estimate in 2010.
Researchers have developed a new method to recognize pre-eruption signals at volcanoes by analyzing crystals from past eruptions. By studying the chemistry of these crystals, they can reconstruct the volcano's history in time and location, potentially improving forecast accuracy.
Researchers identified repeating seismic events at volcanoes in Costa Rica, offering insights into magma movement and gas activity. Drumbeat seismicity at Turrialba may have preceded a small eruption, while earthquakes halted repeating events at Poas by altering the stress field around the volcano.
Researchers from PSU, Stanford, and USGS will investigate volcanic ash behavior to inform emergency evacuations and air traffic decisions. Using high-resolution cameras and lasers, they aim to gain a better understanding of how far volcanic particles drift and cluster.
Researchers used satellite data to identify a major magma supply into a reservoir extending almost two miles from the crater of Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua. The findings suggest that volcanoes can be fed magma through nearby underground channels, helping explain how they erupt without warning.
A new scenario proposes that Mars' oceans formed several hundred million years earlier than previously thought, linking their existence to the rise of the solar system's largest volcanic system, Tharsis. The model suggests that global warming and volcanic eruptions played a key role in allowing liquid water to exist on Mars.
Research shows that water-bearing minerals release water underneath geologic hot spots, lubricating earthquakes and fueling volcanoes. A new spectroscopy technique applied to garnet containing fragments of quartz reveals the source of water, contradicting conventional thermodynamic equations.
Recent studies suggest that the Hawaiian hotspot moved southward at a rate of several tens of kilometers per million years. This new evidence contradicts the long-held assumption that hotspots are stationary and supports a dynamic Earth model.
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.
Researchers have discovered tiny crystals forming deep in volcanoes can signal impending eruptions, offering hope for more effective evacuations and early warning systems. The study, led by Dr. Teresa Ubide, uses a new laser technique to examine the composition of these crystals, which may hold the key to predicting volcanic activity.
Researchers have found that small crystals in volcanic rocks contain growth layers similar to tree rings, which can record the processes leading up to an eruption. This discovery may lead to more effective volcanic hazard monitoring, including for dormant volcanoes.
Researchers find a sudden discontinuity in the flow behaviour of rhyolitic magmas, guiding whether a volcano erupts effusively or explosively. Variabilities at the nanoscale can dramatically increase the explosive potential of volcanoes.
Scientists studying submarine volcanoes have discovered distinct sound patterns emanating from two underwater eruptions, Ahyi and Bogoslof. These sounds can be detected by seismometers and hydrophone arrays, providing valuable insights into the monitoring of these volcanic events.
A team from the University of Bristol analyzed geological records to find that volcanic super-eruptions occur much more frequently than previously estimated, with a new average time between events of around 17 thousand years. This re-evaluation raises concerns about the potential impact on global weather patterns and human civilization.
Researchers at UNH used scientific sleuthing to better understand magma movement in Mount Etna, finding that ancient and present-day magma sources are similar. The study also revealed that crystals formed beneath the volcano were virtually chemically identical to erupted lavas, suggesting short crystal storage times.
Researchers discovered a possible reason for Ptolemy III's sudden return home: massive volcanic eruptions. These events cooled the planet's atmosphere, disrupting the Nile River's flow and leading to food shortages and heightened tensions. The study links eruptions to violent uprisings and other upheavals in ancient Egypt.
Researchers detect localized carbon dioxide sources from Mount Yasur and Los Angeles basin, providing insights into volcanic and anthropogenic emissions. The study supports the potential for space-based monitoring to prevent humanitarian disasters and reduce greenhouse gas-induced warming.
A recent study in the Journal of Applied Volcanology analyzed volcanic fatalities in unprecedented detail, identifying common causes and victims. The research found that nearly half of all fatal incidents occurred within 10 km of volcanoes, with tourists, media, and emergency response personnel being among the most at-risk groups.
Researchers have discovered a 'reverse energy cascade' that traps rising magma in the crust, forming massive granite bodies like Yosemite's El Capitan. This process helps build better understanding of volcanoes, their impacts on global climate, and where large volcanoes are likely to occur.
A network of microscopic crystals in magma can act like guard rails to channel gas out, lessening internal pressure and reducing explosiveness. The discovery challenges the prevailing assumption that silica content is the major driver of gas escape.