Articles tagged with Volcanoes
Researchers propose that a hot layer above the Earth's mantle, known as the asthenosphere, is responsible for volcanic eruptions in mid-plate regions. This challenge traditional theory, which posits that volcanoes are caused by plate movement and heat from deep within the Earth.
A team led by UW-Madison is investigating the Laguna del Maule volcanic field in Chile's Andes, where a mega-eruption could be as large as Mount St. Helens. The team aims to document the volcano's behavior before an eruption using geology, geochemistry, and seismology techniques.
Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery surrounding Australia's only active volcanic area, which spans over 500 kilometers and has seen more than 400 volcanic events in the last four million years.
A UCSB geochemist used lead and helium isotope measurements to analyze Samoan volcanoes, finding evidence of a primordial component within the deep interior. The study revealed distinct chemical configurations and mixing relationships among four endmembers, providing new insights into Earth's mantle plume structure.
Researchers confirm that textbook theory behind volcanoes is incorrect, with no evidence for narrow mantle plumes. Instead, large, slow-moving chunks of mantle drive volcano formation through plate tectonics.
A volunteer group, known as 'vigías', has been instrumental in safeguarding communities around the Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador. The network enables citizens to continue living and working in hazardous areas by enhancing their capacity to respond quickly to escalating threats.
Three previously unrecorded volcanoes have been found in southeastern Australia, adding to the Newer Volcanics Province's 400 volcanoes. The discovery provides new insights into an area of volcanic centres already known to geologists.
A new study has redefined the geology of O'ahu, revealing that it consists of three major Hawaiian shield volcanoes. The island's precursor volcano, Ka'ena, was previously unknown and formed over 100 km west of its current location.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have discovered that frictional melting plays a role in determining how a volcano will erupt. The process, which occurs when magma and rocks melt due to intense heat, creates a stop-start movement in the magma as it makes its way towards the earth's surface.
Researchers found that 46% of deforming volcanoes erupted, while 94% of non-deforming ones did not. The study uses satellite radar to identify unrest on a regional or global scale, targeting ground-based monitoring.
Researchers used a numerical model to demonstrate the link between crustal unloading and magma transport in rift valleys. In broad, shallow rifts, magma ascends vertically, while in deep, narrow rifts, it's strongly deviated, resulting in off-rift volcanoes forming at distances from the rift axis.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have created a 3D image of the structure beneath Sierra Negra volcano, shedding light on the subterranean plumbing system that feeds the Galápagos volcanoes. This new understanding may help predict earthquakes and eruptions, mitigating hazards associated with them.
A University of Oregon study discovers the source of Galapagos eruptions to be a plume 150 kilometers southeast of Fernandina Island, contradicting previous modeling. This finding sheds light on volcanic activity in the islands and raises questions about plate tectonics and Earth's internal convection.
Scientists have discovered current volcanic activity beneath West Antarctica's massive ice sheet. The seismic swarms indicate a subglacial volcano with active magma moving below the ice.
Researchers found chemical signatures similar to plume volcanoes in the Marie Byrd Seamounts, which do not fit typical models of fire mountain formation. They propose that mantle material was shifted under oceanic plates, leading to volcanic eruptions on the adjacent seamounts.
Researchers from Uppsala University used a 3D model to study the subsurface of Ardnamurchan volcano and found that it had a single elongate magma chamber. This challenges the long-held theory of three successive magma chambers, which has been widely studied by geology students and experts.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii and the University of Rhode Island found that extrusive volcanism, not internal emplacement of magma, grew Hawaiian volcanoes. The study suggests a new density model can be used for further crustal studies in the Hawaiian Islands.
Researchers from the University of Houston have discovered the largest single volcano ever documented on Earth, dubbed Tamu Massif, covering an area roughly equivalent to the British Isles. The volcano, located off the coast of Japan, is nearly as large as Mars' Olympus Mons and features a unique shield-like shape.
Researchers used seismic waves to discover long 'fingers' of heat in Earth's upper mantle, stretching thousands of miles. These finger-like structures carrying heat interact with tectonic plates and hot plumes, influencing the formation of hotspot volcanoes.
Scientists have detected previously unknown channels of slow-moving seismic waves in Earth's upper mantle, helping explain the formation of hotspot volcanoes like Hawaii and Tahiti. The discovery provides an important piece of the puzzle in understanding these volcanoes' complex interactions with plumes and the shallow upper mantle.
A new study on carbonado diamonds reveals the presence of a 3D connected pore network, while another paper discusses sea-level change off New Jersey and ancient Sierra Nevada faulting. Meanwhile, volcanic activity in Hawaii is examined through core-seismic-log integration.
Scientists suggest that Costa Rica's largest stratovolcano, Irazú, erupted in the 1960s due to magma rising from the mantle over a few months, rather than thousands of years. This fast-rising magma could provide an early warning tool for detecting oncoming volcanic disasters.
The Deep Carbon Observatory investigates deep carbon's movement, origin and forms, shedding light on the planet's oldest ecosystem. Studies suggest a significant amount of carbon may be locked into minerals and melts in the mantle and core.
A new CU-Boulder study suggests that volcanic aerosols, rather than industrial pollution, have counteracted as much as 25% of human-caused global warming since 2000. The research, led by Ryan Neely, used sophisticated computer models to separate coal-burning emissions from Asia from volcanic contributions worldwide.
A new study led by Rice University suggests that episodic flare-ups of volcanoes at key locations could be driving Earth's repeated flip-flopping between greenhouse and icehouse states. The researchers found that these continental-arc volcanoes release enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, which drives the climate cycles.
Researchers describe a previously undocumented type of eruption in underwater volcanoes, characterized by a unique bubble structure that defies explosive or effusive categories. The study proposes a new eruptive style, named Tangaroan, which occurs when magma forms a buoyant foam that rises to the seafloor and detaches from the volcano.
A six-year observation by ESA's Venus Express reveals significant changes in the planet's atmosphere, suggesting recent volcanic eruptions. The thick atmosphere contains over a million times more sulphur dioxide than Earth's, which is mostly generated by volcanic activity.
A new study explains the connection between Kilauea and Mauna Loa by proposing an upper-mantle link that can account for their competition over a deep magma supply. The research suggests that increased pressure in the upper mantle is transmitted through a partially molten region, causing simultaneous inflation at both volcanoes.
A new model provides insight into the brief but violent lives of monogenetic volcanoes, shedding light on their explosive mechanisms. The research proposes that explosions occur simultaneously over a range of depths, contradicting previous theories.
Scientists used C-14 dating and soil analysis to determine the age of Croscat Volcano's last eruption. The study reveals that the region experienced mild temperatures and increased rainfall around 13,270 years ago before the volcanic activity began.
A £3 million project will focus on six volcanoes in Latin America and the Caribbean, integrating community experience with scientific approaches to reduce risk. The study aims to develop novel risk analyses and models to mitigate the impact of volcanic activity on people and assets.
A CU-Boulder-led team has found a handful of bacteria, fungi and archaea in rocky soils on South American volcanoes, exhibiting unique energy conversion methods. The discovery sheds light on the limits of life on Earth, suggesting that certain organisms can survive without photosynthesis.
Researchers at the University of Bristol used forensic-style chemical analysis to directly link seismic observations to crystal growth in a magma chamber. The study found correlations between peak crystal growth and increased seismicity prior to the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers reveals six major volcanic eruptions in Sumatra over the past 35,000 years, with explosive intensity comparable to Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruption. The findings highlight a potentially deadly natural phenomenon threatening residents of the region.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding volcanic plumbing systems, which could lead to improved predictions of eruptions. The team's study reveals that ground uplift occurred four months before an eruption due to increased pressure in one of the underground chambers.
Researchers from the University of Leeds and international teams studied magma chambers on mid-ocean ridges, revealing new information about their location and behavior. The findings can help scientists identify early warning signs of impending eruptions, which is crucial for predicting large volcanic events.
A study by Florida Institute of Technology and the University of Hawaii aims to provide early alerts of volcanic ash in the atmosphere using infrasonic signals. The research uses a sophisticated signal processing method to extract the infrasonic signature of volcano eruptions, allowing for estimates of ash column heights.
Researchers have discovered that meteorite impacts can produce rapid ground-hugging currents of gas and debris similar to pyroclastic density currents from explosive volcanoes. The study found that ash and dust particles stick together in a way identical to volcanic eruptions, leading to the formation of accretionary lapilli.
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.
Researchers from British Antarctic Survey discovered 12 previously unknown volcanoes in the Southern Ocean, with 5km diameter craters and 7 active volcanoes. The findings provide new insights into underwater volcanic activity and its potential hazards like tsunamis.
Researchers confirm that volcanoes in Western Victoria and South Australia are due for an eruption, with a recurrence rate of 2,000 years.
A new analysis of NASA's Galileo data confirms the existence of a molten magma layer on Jupiter's moon Io, explaining its intense volcanic activity and shedding light on the Earth and moon's formation. The 'ocean' of magma is estimated to be 30 miles thick and features blistering temperatures of over 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 studied earthquakes, volcanoes and land use in North America. They found evidence of localized active extension in Italy's central Apennines and a unique rare earth element signature in hydrothermal systems.
Researchers at Yale University and the University of British Columbia describe a model explaining volcanic warning tremors that may help forecast deadly eruptions. The 'magma wagging' theory suggests similar frequencies in tremors across different volcanoes due to shared interaction factors.
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.
A decade of research on the Soufriere Hills Volcano has provided new understanding of magma activity, explosive dynamics, and volcano mechanics. The CALIPSO and SEA-CALIPSO projects have generated high-resolution images of the volcano's center and adjacent crust.
Researchers analyzed geophysical changes leading up to the Eyjafjallajökull eruptions, finding that magma movement triggered the reawakening. The volcano swelled for 11 weeks before erupting, with a rapid deformation stopping after the eruption began.
The research team analyzed rock samples to reveal the mountain's 2,200-kilometer journey from Peru to its modern position on the Caribbean coast. The findings link the mountain's foundation to other old massifs in the Americas.
A new study by Oregon State University and the University of California at Davis has found that a mixing of two types of magma is crucial to Mount Hood's eruptions, occurring weeks or months before the eruption. This behavior is distinct from other Cascade Range volcanoes, including Mount St. Helens.
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.
Scientists propose that mantle flow, rather than plate boundaries, drives uplift and volcanism in mobile belts. The study identifies two mountain ranges raised almost entirely by mantle flow in Spain and France.
Underwater asphalt volcanoes, 10 miles off Santa Barbara coast, discovered by scientists funded by NSF, are 700 feet deep and 1 km apart. The structures were formed 30,000-40,000 years ago from petroleum flow, and were a prolific source of methane.
Scientists are using infrasound to monitor volcanoes in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth, for early warning of eruptions that could threaten passenger airlines and cargo ships. The technology aims to discriminate between different eruptive styles, improving alert systems for volcanic ash clouds.
A new special issue of Oceanography presents groundbreaking research on seamounts, highlighting the importance of these underwater mountains for marine life and global ocean health. The study reveals devastating impacts from overfishing and habitat destruction, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices.
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 found that longer dormant periods and thicker magma increase the length of a volcano's 'run-up' before an eruption. This can help scientists estimate when a rumbling volcano might erupt and how long to stay on alert after an eruption starts.
Seismic images of a mantle plume extending to depths of at least 1,500 kilometers reveal the roots of Hawaii's volcanic hotspot. The PLUME project provides high-resolution seismic images of the structure beneath the island of Hawaii.
A study published in Geology has used InSAR to detect signs of activity in four volcanoes in Kenya's Rift Valley, showing episodic pulses of magma arriving at the crust. The findings highlight the geothermal potential of the region and pose a challenge for human hazard risk management.