All articles tagged with #lava
Scientists have discovered that microbes can rapidly colonize freshly cooled lava within hours of solidification, demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptability in extreme environments, with implications for understanding life's potential on other planets like Mars.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted again, shooting lava 500 feet into the air and producing significant volcanic activity, including fountains and lava flows, while releasing large amounts of sulfur dioxide gas, with no injuries reported.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted on August 22, 2025, marking its 31st eruption since December 2024, with lava fountains reaching 100 feet, attracting tourists and scientists alike, while also holding cultural significance for the Hawaiian community. The eruption continues to be closely monitored, with its behavior still unpredictable, and it has increased tourism but also posed safety risks.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has erupted for the 31st time since December, with lava fountains reaching up to 100 feet, contained within the summit crater, and no threat to homes. The eruption follows a pattern of repeated episodes, with scientists uncertain of its future course, and it has increased park visitation and cultural significance for Native Hawaiians.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted again, sending lava fountains up to 1,000 feet high, with ongoing activity since December, primarily confined to the Halemaʻumaʻu crater and surrounding areas, prompting a volcano watch and safety precautions.
Scientists used NASA data and virtual modeling to show that Venus's flat-topped pancake domes likely formed due to the planet's elastic lithosphere and the emission of dense lava, with gravity flattening the lava and creating steep sides.
Scientists studying Venus' pancake-shaped volcanoes found that their unique flat-topped, steep-sided shapes are likely caused by the planet's bendy crust and ultra-dense, viscous lava, with models suggesting crustal flexure plays a key role in their formation. Future missions will help verify these findings across more volcanic features on Venus.
A volcano near Iceland's capital erupted for the seventh time in a year, creating a fissure nearly two miles long, but causing no disruptions to air traffic or infrastructure. The eruption, smaller than previous ones, occurred with little warning and led to the evacuation of some residents near the Reykjanes peninsula. Despite the frequent eruptions, experts suggest that the area will continue to experience volcanic activity for decades.
Researchers are exploring the potential of using the James Webb Space Telescope to identify water worlds by detecting specific minerals formed when water interacts with cooling lava on exoplanets. By studying basalt, a common volcanic rock, scientists aim to identify chemical fingerprints that indicate the presence of water. This method could help determine if exoplanets like LHS 3844b once had surface or subsurface water, although it requires extensive telescope time to analyze distant lava flows.
Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island has erupted, prompting the USGS to issue a red alert. The eruption, which began around 12:30 a.m. local time, is primarily producing airborne hazards like gas emissions and tephra. The activity is confined to the summit region within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and no lava is visible from accessible areas. The eruption could last from a few hours to a couple of days, and over 400 earthquakes have been recorded in the past 24 hours.
A powerful volcanic eruption near Grindavik, Iceland, has led to the evacuation of the town and the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. This marks the fifth eruption this year and the eighth since 2021 on the Reykjanes peninsula, which has become geologically active after 800 years of dormancy. The eruption featured lava fountains reaching 50 meters high and a fissure length of 3.4 km, causing significant disruptions but not affecting flights at Reykjavik’s Keflavik airport.
A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted for the fifth time since late last year, spewing lava toward Grindavik and potentially being the most vigorous eruption in the area to date. The eruption caused significant damage to local infrastructure, and gas pollution could affect Reykjavik. The area, including the Blue Lagoon spa, was evacuated, and the eruption followed a series of recent earthquakes.
A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted for the fifth time since December, spewing massive lava flows that threatened the town of Grindavík and led to the evacuation of the Blue Lagoon. The eruption, which began after an earthquake, initially cut off roads and damaged infrastructure, but the situation improved by Thursday. Authorities warned of potential gas pollution, though air quality remained safe.
A volcano in Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula erupted for the fourth time since December, spewing smoke and bright orange lava into the air. The eruption, which occurred with only 15 minutes' warning, has not posed an immediate threat to infrastructure or the nearby fishing town of Grindavik. Man-made barriers have successfully directed the lava away from the town and a geothermal power plant. The volcanic activity has been relatively stable, and hazardous gases are unlikely to reach the capital, Reykjavik, due to strong winds.
Lava from a volcanic eruption in Iceland has reached defence barriers near the town of Grindavik, prompting evacuations and threatening a lagoon and power plant. The eruption, the fourth in three months, has sent lava flowing towards the coast, with defensive barriers built to prevent it from reaching the main road. No flight disruptions have been reported, and no confirmed deaths have occurred, although a worker is missing after falling into a fissure.