Fresh magma recharges Japan’s Kikai caldera, offering clues on how giant supervolcanoes rebuild
Underwater seismic surveys show a large, magma-rich reservoir beneath Japan’s Kikai caldera, with new magma entering the system over thousands of years and a lava dome forming about 3,900 years ago. This supports a model in which giant calderas gradually rebuild magma after major eruptions and could apply to other systems like Yellowstone and Toba, aiding efforts to monitor and anticipate future giant eruptions.