All articles tagged with #magma
Ground around Yellowstone’s northern caldera has risen about an inch over a 20-mile area since July, a deformation linked to deep magma movement. Scientists say this is normal activity for the hotspot and not a sign of an imminent eruption, noting Yellowstone hasn’t erupted in about 70,000 years. Public reporting and USGS footage emphasize there’s no eruption threat at this time.
NASA's Juno spacecraft captured what scientists describe as the solar system's most energetic eruption observed on Io, with multiple volcanoes lighting up simultaneously from a vast subterranean magma network. The Dec. 27, 2024 event, spotted by JIRAM during a flyby about 74,400 km above Io, released an estimated 140–260 terawatts of power and covered about 40,400 square miles (65,000 sq km). Io harbors around 400 active volcanoes driven by Jupiter's tidal forces. The synchronized eruption suggests interconnected magma reservoirs beneath Io's lava-encrusted surface, and future Io flybys will map new lava flows and ash deposits.
Despite ongoing monitoring and large magma reserves beneath Yellowstone, scientists believe a super-eruption is unlikely in the near future, but if it occurs, it could cause widespread destruction, ash clouds, and significant global climate cooling, with potential impacts on agriculture and ecosystems worldwide.
Recent research shows Yellowstone's magma is concentrated mainly under the northeast of the caldera, with a significant volume that could potentially lead to a super-eruption, but such an event is not imminent, occurring roughly every 735,000 years on average. The eruption would cause widespread ash fall, pyroclastic flows, and global climate cooling, but warning signs might be minimal, making prediction difficult. The last super-eruption was 630,000 years ago, and while the impact would be catastrophic, the likelihood of an immediate eruption remains low.
Scientists have studied Bolivia's Uturuncu volcano, which shows signs of activity despite being classified as extinct, revealing that such volcanoes can 'breathe' and potentially reawaken due to underground fluid movements. Using seismic tomography and satellite data, researchers found no imminent eruption threat but emphasized the importance of monitoring these restless volcanoes, especially as climate change may influence their activity. The study highlights how advanced imaging techniques can better predict volcanic behavior and improve safety measures.
The Phlegraean Fields supervolcano near Naples, Italy, is showing signs of reawakening, with increased gas emissions and ground deformation raising concerns among scientists. The Solfatara crater is releasing 4,000 to 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide daily, primarily from magma beneath the surface. This activity has prompted heightened monitoring and a raised volcanic alert level, as experts work to determine if these signs indicate an impending eruption or are part of natural geological processes. The situation underscores the potential global impact of a supervolcano eruption.
Nearly 2,000 earthquakes were recorded in a single day off the coast of Canada, indicating a potential deep sea magmatic rupture and the birth of new oceanic crust. The quakes, centered on the Endeavour site near Vancouver Island, are not a threat to people and are part of the ocean floor spreading apart. Scientists are closely monitoring the area to understand how the ocean floor pulls apart and new crust forms, as well as the impact on the hydrothermal vent system.
Scientists studying seismic activity in the Denali volcanic gap region of Alaska accidentally discovered evidence of a magma reservoir about 7 miles beneath the surface, challenging the belief that the area is volcanoless. The discovery was made by analyzing seismic data collected after a 2018 earthquake, revealing a "seismic-velocity anomaly" indicating the presence of slow-moving, molten magma. Further research is needed to confirm the presence of magma, but the rugged terrain of inland Alaska presents challenges for installing seismic monitoring instruments directly above the mystery spot.
Recent research using 40Ar/39Ar geochronology has revealed that Yellowstone's intracaldera rhyolite eruptions, occurring over the past 160,000 years, were more dramatic than previously believed. The study found that these eruptions occurred in five brief episodes, involving multiple eruptions spread over several kilometers to tens of kilometers, with each episode lasting a maximum of 400 years. The results suggest that intracaldera eruptions can involve multiple simultaneous eruptions and are less frequent than previously thought, shedding new light on the volcanic activity at Yellowstone.
A groundbreaking study led by University of Nevada geoscientist Kevin Konrad and an international team of researchers reveals that the Melanesia Border Plateau, a 222,000 square-kilometer underwater landmass, is still growing due to ongoing crust deformation influenced by the rollback of the Pacific plate beneath the Tongan trench. The plateau's rocky bones consist of cooled magma released during the Cretaceous Normal Superchron, and its formation challenges previous notions about large igneous provinces, suggesting they may emerge slowly and silently over time. Understanding this superstructure's formation has important environmental ramifications and provides insights into Earth's climate.
University of Oregon researchers have detailed how magma and water have shaped the iconic Columbia River Gorge, revealing that prolonged upwelling of magma beneath the earth's crust bent the river channel and pushed up cliffs and peaks, while water carved a deep channel between them. The study shows that the movement of magma, rather than other tectonic forces, explains the uplift, and that magma is still influencing the landscape today, with a pool of molten magma lying beneath the gorge. This research sheds light on the geological history of the gorge and its surrounding landscape.
A volcanic eruption is underway in southwestern Iceland, with magma breaching the surface north of the town of Grindavik. The eruption prompted the evacuation of nearly 4,000 residents due to the threat of destructive lava flows. Iceland, known for its volcanic activity, experienced a significant increase in earthquakes in October and November, leading up to the eruption. While experts downplayed the potential for global travel disruption or decrease in air quality, concerns remain about the impact on infrastructure and houses in the affected area.
Hungarian scientists studying the Ciomadul volcano have found that even after tens of thousands of years of dormancy, a volcano can rapidly become active and pose a previously unknown threat. By analyzing the mineral composition of volcanic rocks, the researchers identified the conditions and processes that lead to explosive eruptions. They discovered that the presence of distinct amphibole compositions in the magma played a key role in triggering the explosive eruptions. This research highlights the importance of studying long-dormant volcanoes and understanding their potential hazards.
A recent study highlights the severe lack of data on high-threat volcanoes in the Cascade Volcanic Arc, which stretches from Northern California to southern British Columbia. Despite their significant hazards, scientists have limited knowledge of where magma is stored beneath these volcanoes, hindering their ability to understand and predict future eruptions. Practical limitations, such as the difficulty of detecting magma movement and installing monitoring equipment in protected areas, contribute to the lack of data. The researchers hope their work will help prioritize efforts to study the most dangerous and least understood volcanoes in the region.
Iceland is on high alert as the country prepares for a possible volcanic eruption following a series of small earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions occur when molten rock (magma) rises due to its lower density compared to the surrounding rock. Eruptions can be triggered by various events, such as the accumulation of magma or the mixing of new and existing magma. The most recent eruptions in the US are happening in Alaska and Hawaii. Iceland, being one of the most volcanically active places on Earth, is likely to experience lava flows and fountains similar to those in Hawaii if an eruption occurs. Volcanic eruptions are often preceded by earthquakes, and tsunamis can occur if the volcano is located on the coast or underwater.