All articles tagged with #volcanology
Satellites imaged an underwater volcanic eruption, but scientists still don’t know what’s actually happening on the seafloor, underscoring gaps in our understanding of deep-sea volcanic activity.
Geophysicists aboard the Meteor on Expedition M201 found flat-topped, submerged volcanoes along the Reykjanes Ridge off Iceland, indicating that mid-ocean ridges can erupt explosively at shallower depths when seawater flashes to steam; a mechanism that may explain phantom islands like Surtsey and suggests future surface eruptions could occur as ice and pressure conditions change.
A preprint analysis finds Campi Flegrei, the Naples-area caldera, is showing a self-reinforcing acceleration in seismic activity and ground uplift, suggesting a potential major geological shift could occur around 2030–2034. While not a specific eruption forecast, the pattern raises significant risk to nearby residents and underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and improved predictive models.
Scientists used more than two decades of seismic data to map Bermuda’s subsurface and found a light, ~12-mile-thick slab of ancient rock beneath the island. Formed 30–35 million years ago, this slab floats under the crust and keeps Bermuda elevated above the sea without current volcanism, explaining the island’s buoyancy and challenging the classic mantle plume model. The findings tie Bermuda’s uplift to broader mantle convection processes and link to the region’s gravity and magnetic anomalies around the Bermuda Rise.
Scientists are inching toward weather‑style forecasts for volcanic eruptions, but predicting eruptions with that level of certainty remains challenging because magma sits deep and each volcano is unique. Advances in seismology, ground deformation monitoring, gas measurements, and machine learning are enabling earlier warnings and more detailed volcano models. Projects like Ex-X and SZ4D seek to uncover the governing physics, improve data collection, and develop archetype volcano models that could one day output probabilistic eruption forecasts days or weeks in advance, but achieving a generalized, reliable forecast will require decades of data and a far more extensive global monitoring network.
A new Science study argues Yellowstone’s volcanism is driven by a broad, slow-moving flow of hot rock beneath North America, forming a connected magma system rather than a single deep chamber, with eastward mantle motion tied to Farallon Plate remnants—reshaping how scientists understand eruptions, which remain unpredictable and not overdue.
Scientists using seismometers mapped a vast underground magma reservoir beneath Tuscany, Italy—comparable in size to Yellowstone’s magmatic system—yet with no eruptions. The dormant chamber, detected to a depth of 15 kilometers, could inform geothermal development and mineral exploration while raising questions about why it has remained inactive.
Researchers from the SETI Institute unveiled Orpheus, a vertical-takeoff hopper designed to explore Mars’ volcanic regions—Cerberus Fossae and Cerberus Tholus—by accessing deep pits and caves to search for biosignatures, using onboard tools like a color camera, near-infrared spectrometer, and ground-penetrating radar, in hopes of finding signs of life beneath the surface where conditions may be more hospitable.
Scientists from Mexico's UNAM have created the first detailed 3D images of Popocatépetl's interior, revealing magma pools and improving understanding of its activity to better predict eruptions and protect nearby populations.
Scientists have captured the most detailed 3D seismic images of Axial Volcano off Oregon, revealing complex internal processes and challenging previous theories about silica enrichment in its lava, which could improve understanding of underwater volcano eruptions.
Scientists have developed a new method to predict eruptions at Mount Etna by monitoring the b value, which measures earthquake magnitudes, allowing earlier warnings of potential eruptions based on crustal stress changes and magma movement, potentially providing critical lead time for nearby communities.
Researchers monitor the Axial Seamount off Oregon's coast, which may erupt by year's end, but currently shows no signs of imminent eruption; the volcano's activity helps scientists understand volcanic behavior without posing a threat to humans.
Scientists are monitoring the Axial Seamount off Oregon for signs of a potential eruption in 2025, which could provide valuable insights into volcanic activity without posing risks to humans, as the volcano is located far from populated areas.
A recent eruption at Italy's Mount Etna produced a large ash cloud and lava flows, but caused no injuries or major disruptions. The event was more explosive than a typical Strombolian eruption, which is characterized by small rock and cinder bursts. Volcanologists classify eruptions by explosiveness, with Strombolian being mild, and more explosive types like Plinian causing widespread destruction. Monitoring techniques such as seismic activity, ground deformation, and gas analysis help forecast eruptions, though predicting exact timings remains challenging. Improved monitoring has increased our awareness of eruptions, but the frequency has not necessarily increased.
The Phlegraean Fields supervolcano near Naples, Italy, is showing signs of increased activity, with the Solfatara crater emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide. Researchers, led by volcanologist Gianmarco Buono, are studying these emissions to distinguish between gases from magma and those from other geological processes. Understanding these emissions is crucial for predicting volcanic activity and ensuring public safety. The study highlights the importance of monitoring volcanic gases to better assess potential risks and was published in the journal Geology.