ScienceDaily: Volcano News

Volcanoes cause climate gas concentrations to vary

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:53:53 EDT

Trace gases and aerosols are major factors influencing the climate. With the help of highly complex installations, such as MIPAS on board of the ENVISAT satellite, researchers try to better understand the processes in the upper atmosphere. Now, scientists have completed a comprehensive overview of sulfur dioxide measurements.

Landsat thermal sensor lights up from volcano's heat

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:17:17 EDT

As the Landsat Data Continuity Mission satellite flew over Indonesia's Flores Sea April 29, it captured an image of Paluweh volcano spewing ash into the air. The satellite's Operational Land Imager detected the white cloud of smoke and ash drifting northwest, over the green forests of the island and the blue waters of the tropical sea. The Thermal Infrared Sensor on LDCM picked up even more.

Canada's distinctive tuya volcanoes reveal glacial, palaeo-climate secrets

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:14:14 EDT

Deposits left by the eruption of a subglacial volcano, or tuya, 1.8 million years ago could hold the secret to more accurate palaeo-glacial and climate models, according to new research. The detailed mapping and sampling of the partially eroded Kima' Kho tuya in northern British Columbia, Canada, shows that the ancient regional ice sheet through which the volcano erupted was twice as thick as previously estimated.

No Redoubt: Volcanic eruption forecasting improved

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:37:37 EDT

Forecasting volcanic eruptions with success is heavily dependent on recognizing well-established patterns of pre-eruption unrest in the monitoring data. But in order to develop better monitoring procedures, it is also crucial to understand volcanic eruptions that deviate from these patterns. New research retrospectively documented and analyzed the period immediately preceding the 2009 eruption of the Redoubt volcano in Alaska, which was characterized by an abnormally long period of pre-eruption seismic activity that's normally associated with short-term warnings of eruption.

Scientists use islands to gauge rainfall's effect on landscapes

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:49:49 EDT

Researchers have used volcanic islands to measure how rainfall sets the pace of landscape formation.

Second source of potentially disruptive Icelandic volcanoes found

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:45:45 EDT

New research has discovered another type of Icelandic volcanic eruption that could cause disruption. The team found magma that is twice as 'fizzy' as previously believed, which increases the likelihood of disruptive ash clouds from future eruptions.

NASA sends unmanned aircraft to study volcanic plume

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:14:14 EDT

Studying volcanos can be hazardous work, both for researchers and aircraft. To penetrate such dangerous airspace, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially those with electric engines that ingest little contaminated air, are an emerging and effective way to gather crucial data about volcanic ash and gases.

Scientists image deep magma beneath Pacific seafloor volcano

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:41:41 EDT

Since the plate tectonics revolution of the 1960s, scientists have known that new seafloor is created throughout the major ocean basins at linear chains of volcanoes known as mid-ocean ridges. But where exactly does the erupted magma come from? Researchers now have a better idea after capturing a unique image of a site deep in the earth where magma is generated.

New owl species discovered in Indonesia is unique to one island

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:31:31 EST

A new owl is the first endemic bird species discovered on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, according to new research.

Isotope patterns in ancient volcanic sulfur tell which global cooling episodes were caused by volcanic eruptions

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:23:23 EST

Volcanoes are well known for cooling the climate. But just how much and when has been a bone of contention among historians, glaciologists and archeologists. Now a team of atmosphere chemists has come up with a way to say for sure which historic episodes of global cooling were caused by volcanic eruptions.

Eruption risk perception disconnected from detected threat

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:39:39 EST

The perceived risk of having a volcanic eruption needs to match the actual risk, detected through combined technologies including remote sensing of volcanic gasses, before dire consequences can be prevented.

Scientists describe a 'new' type of volcanic eruption

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:32:32 EST

Scientists based in the UK and New Zealand have described a “new” type of volcanic eruption. Volcanic eruptions are commonly categorized as either explosive or effusive. But now, researchers have uncovered a previously undocumented type of eruption in underwater volcanoes – by looking at tiny original bubble spaces trapped in volcanic rock.

Ancient Earth's geochemistry: Some tectonic processes driving volcanic activity occurred 3.8 billion years ago

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:01:01 EST

Researchers still have much to learn about the volcanism that shaped our planet's early history. New evidence demonstrates that some of the tectonic processes driving volcanic activity, such as those taking place today, were occurring as early as 3.8 billion years ago.

Unrestricted access to the details of deadly volcanic eruptions

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:17:17 EST

Details of around 2,000 major volcanic eruptions which occurred over the last 1.8 million years have been made available in a new open access database.

Will the world end on December 21, 2012? What we know and don't know about forecasting natural disasters

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:03:03 EST

Based on interpretations of the ancient Maya calendar, some people are predicting the world will end on December 21, 2012, Others believe that instead of doomsday and destruction, the day will mark a new era for humanity and will be a time for celebration. Such beliefs aside, what we know with certainty is that Earth has a tremendous capacity to generate natural disasters on any day of any year. For this reason, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists continue to look for ways to better forecast a wide range of natural hazards and protect our communities.

When the ice melts, the Earth spews fire

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:35:35 EST

It has long been known that volcanic activity can cause short-term variations in climate. Now, researchers have found evidence that the reverse process also occurs: Climate affects volcanic activity.

How does a volcanic crater grow? Grab some TNT and find out

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:09:09 EST

A new study examines maar craters, which resemble the bowl-like cavities formed by meteorites but are in some ways more mysterious.

Massive volcanic eruption puts past climate and people in perspective

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:46:46 EST

The largest volcanic eruption on Earth in the past millions of years took place in Indonesia 74,000 years ago and researchers can now link the colossal eruption with the global climate and the effects on early humans.

Taking the 'pulse' of volcanoes using satellite images

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:09:09 EST

A new study uses satellite data to investigate deformation prior to the eruption of active volcanoes in Indonesia's west Sunda arc.

Connection between Hawaii's dueling volcanoes explained

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:48:48 EDT

A new study finds that a deep connection about 50 miles underground can explain the enigmatic behavior of two of Earth's most notable volcanoes, Hawaii's Mauna Loa and Kilauea.

NASA C-20A completes radar study of Pacific Rim volcanoes

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:44:44 EDT

NASA's Airborne Science C-20A aircraft, carrying a specialized synthetic aperture radar, recently completed a mission to study active volcanoes in Alaska, Aleutian Islands and Japan in early October. The aircraft, a modified version of the Gulfstream III business jet, made 10 flights totaling more than 50 hours during the eight-day campaign. The Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR), developed and operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, collected 60 of 61 planned data lines.

Scale of volcanic eruptions appears to hinge on first 10 seconds of bubble growth in magma

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:56:56 EDT

New research suggests the difference between a small or large volcanic eruption depends on the first 10 seconds of bubble growth in molten rocks. The findings point to a need to develop volcanic monitoring systems that can measure rapid changes in gas flux and composition during those brief, crucial moments.

Ice age polarity reversal was global event: Extremely brief reversal of geomagnetic field, climate variability, and super volcano

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:49:49 EDT

Some 41,000 years ago, a complete and rapid reversal of the geomagnetic field occured. Magnetic studies on sediment cores from the Black Sea show that during this period, during the last ice age, a compass at the Black Sea would have pointed to the south instead of north. Moreover, data obtained by the research team, together with additional data from other studies in the North Atlantic, the South Pacific and Hawaii, prove that this polarity reversal was a global event.

Scientists identify trigger for explosive volcanic eruptions

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 07:47:47 EDT

Scientists have identified a repeating trigger for the largest explosive volcanic eruptions on Earth. The Las Cañadas volcanic caldera on Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, has generated at least eight major eruptions during the last 700,000 years. These catastrophic events have resulted in eruption columns of over 25km high and expelled widespread pyroclastic material over 130km. By comparison, even the smallest of these eruptions expelled over 25 times more material than the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland.

Researchers ID unique geological 'sombrero' uplift in South America

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:14:14 EDT

Scientists have identified a geological oddity in the central Andes region, home to the largest active magma body in Earth's continental crust. They found that magma is forming a big blob in the middle of the crust, pushing up Earth's surface across an area 100 kilometers wide, while the surrounding area sinks, leading to a unique geological phenomenon the researchers have described as the "sombrero uplift."

The brief but violent life of monogenetic volcanoes

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:41:41 EDT

A new study is providing insight into the explosive mechanisms of volcanoes that erupt just once, and then die.

Giant 'balloon of magma' inflates under Santorini's volcano

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 15:03:03 EDT

The chamber of molten rock beneath Santorini's volcano expanded 10-20 million cubic meters -- up to 15 times the size of London's Olympic Stadium -- between January 2011 and April 2012, according to a new survey. The growth of this 'balloon' of magma has seen the surface of the island rise 8-14 centimeters during this period, the researchers found.

Increase in respiratory symptoms following volcanic eruption

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:08:08 EDT

Exposure to volcanic ash can increase respiratory symptoms such as an extreme cough, or phlegm, according to a new study.

Researchers simulate volcanic eruptions: Large-scale experiment to shed light on powerful natural disaster

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:20:20 EDT

A rare large-scale attempt to simulate volcanic eruptions will provide much-needed insight into one of Earth's most powerful and mysterious natural disasters.

Croscat volcano may have been the last volcanic eruption in Spain, less than 13 thousand years ago

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:51:51 EDT

Using Carbon-14 dating and the analysis of fossilised pollen, researchers have confirmed that one of the youngest volcanoes of the Iberian Peninsula is the Croscat Volcano, located in the region of La Garrotxa, Girona. They verified that its last eruption took place less than 13 thousand years ago.

Traveling through a volcano: How pre-eruption collisions affect what exits a volcano

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:48:48 EDT

Scientists widely believe that volcanic particle size is determined by the initial fragmentation process, when bubbly magma deep in the volcano changes into gas-particle flows. But new research indicates a more dynamic process where the amount and size of volcanic ash actually depend on what happens afterward, as the particles race toward the surface.

Could volcanic eruptions in the south-west Pacific save the Great Barrier Reef?

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:52:52 EDT

Could the pumice that surges into the ocean once a volcano erupts in Tonga or elsewhere in the south-west Pacific save the Great Barrier Reef? New research conducted by Queensland University of Technology geologist Dr Scott Bryan indicates that yes, this is not only possible, but could be how the Great Barrier Reef formed in the first place.

X-rays illuminate the origin of volcanic hotspots

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:17:17 EDT

Scientists have recreated the conditions at Earth's core-mantle boundary 2,900 km beneath the surface. Using X-rays at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, they probed tiny rock samples at extreme temperature and pressure showing for the first time that partially molten rock under these conditions is buoyant and should segregate towards the surface. This observation is strong evidence for the theory that volcanic hotspots like the Hawaiian Islands originate from mantle plumes generated at the core-mantle boundary.

Smaller volcanoes could cool climate

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:41:41 EDT

Scientists have discovered that aerosols from relatively small volcanic eruptions can be boosted into the high atmosphere by weather systems such as monsoons, where they can affect global temperatures. The massive eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 temporarily dropped temperatures by half a degree Celsius world-wide.

Toward a Better Understanding of Earthquakes

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:37:37 EDT

The earth is shaken daily by strong earthquakes recorded by a number of seismic stations worldwide. Tectonic tremor, however, is a new type of seismic signal that seismologist started studying only within the last few years. Tremor is less hazardous than earthquakes and occurs at greater depth. The link between tremor and earthquakes may provide clues about the more destructive earthquakes that occur at shallower depths. Geophysicists have collected seismic data of tectonic tremor in California. These data are now being evaluated in order to better understand this new seismic phenomenon.

Potential Iceland eruption could pump acid into European airspace

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:48:48 EDT

A modern recurrence of an extraordinary type of volcanic eruption in Iceland could inject large quantities of hazardous gases into North Atlantic and European flight corridors, potentially for months at a time, a new study suggests. Using computer simulations, researchers are investigating the likely atmospheric effects if a "flood lava" eruption took place in Iceland today.

Volcanic gases could deplete ozone layer

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:59:59 EDT

Giant volcanic eruptions in Nicaragua over the past 70,000 years could have injected enough gases into the atmosphere to temporarily thin the ozone layer, according to new research. And, if it happened today, a similar explosive eruption could do the same, releasing more than twice the amount of ozone-depleting halogen gases currently in stratosphere due to humanmade emissions.

Undersea volcano gave off signals before eruption in 2011

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 15:14:14 EDT

A team of scientists that last year created waves by correctly forecasting the 2011 eruption of Axial Seamount years in advance now says that the undersea volcano located some 250 miles off the Oregon coast gave off clear signals hours before its impending eruption.

Potentially civilization-ending super-eruptions may have surprisingly short fuses

Wed, 30 May 2012 17:20:20 EDT

Super-eruptions are potentially civilization-ending events and new research suggests that they may have surprisingly short fuses.

Autopsy of a eruption: Linking crystal growth to volcano seismicity

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:34:34 EDT

A forensic approach that links changes deep below a volcano to signals at the surface could ultimately help to predict future volcanic eruptions with greater accuracy.

Volcanic island of Santorini displaying signs of unrest

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:50:50 EDT

Archived data from the Envisat satellite show that the volcanic island of Santorini has recently displayed signs of unrest. Even after the end of its mission, Envisat information continues to be exploited for the long-term monitoring of volcanoes.

From lemons to lemonade: Using carbon dioxide to make carbon nitride

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:56:56 EDT

Scientists have discovered a chemical reaction that not only eats up the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, it creates some useful compounds to boot.

Sumatra faces yet another risk: Major volcanic eruptions

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:01:01 EDT

The early April earthquake of magnitude 8.6 that shook Sumatra was a grim reminder of the devastating earthquakes and tsunami that killed tens of thousands of people in 2004 and 2005. Now a new study shows that the residents of that region are at risk from yet another potentially deadly natural phenomenon -- major volcanic eruptions.

Scientists 'read' ash from the Icelandic volcano two years after its eruption

Sat, 12 May 2012 14:41:41 EDT

In May 2010, the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull reached the Iberian Peninsula and brought airports to a halt all over Europe. At the time, scientists followed its paths using satellites, laser detectors, sun photometers and other instruments. Two years later they have now presented the results and models that will help to prevent the consequences of such natural phenomena.

Volcanoes sound-off on the life-cycles of eruptions

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:20:20 EDT

Volcanoes emit a broad spectrum of sonic energy. In the case of basaltic eruptions, most of that acoustical energy in the infrasound range. A new study reveals that this low-frequency sound can give scientists an enhanced understanding of the behavior of volcanoes and a tool to monitor the lifecycles of their eruptions.

Yellowstone 'super-eruption' less super, more frequent than thought

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:10:10 EDT

The Yellowstone "super-volcano" is a little less super -- but more active -- than previously thought. Researchers say the biggest Yellowstone eruption, which created the two-million-year-old Huckleberry Ridge deposit, was actually two different eruptions at least 6,000 years apart. Their results paint a new picture of a more active volcano than previously thought and can help recalibrate the likelihood of another big eruption in the future.

Arabic records allow past climate to be reconstructed

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:06:06 EDT

Corals, trees and marine sediments, among others, are direct evidence of the climate of the past, but they are not the only indicators. Scientists have now interpreted records written in Iraq by Arabic historians for the first time and has made a chronology of climatic events from the year 816 to 1009, when cold waves and snow were normal. The Arabic historians' records chronologically narrate social, political and religious matters, and some of them mention climate.

The submarine volcano of El Hierro Island continues its degassing

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:03:03 EDT

Researchers have found that the submarine volcano of El Hierro (Canary Islands) continues expelling gases, which are primarily carbon dioxide. No sulfur compounds were detected.

Canary Islands: The base of the Teide was formed in just 40,000 years

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:11:11 EDT

Scientist have shown for the first time how the Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano on the Canary Islands was formed and how long it took.

Volcanic plumbing provides clues on eruptions and earthquakes

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:23:23 EDT

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to understanding plate ruptures and predicting eruptions -- both of which are important steps for protecting the public from earthquake and volcanic hazards.

Volcanic 'plumbing systems' exposed: Step closer to predicting large eruptions with study of mid-ocean ridge magma chambers

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:10:10 EDT

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to predicting large eruptions. International teams of researchers studied the location and behavior of magma chambers on Earth's mid-ocean ridge system -- a vast chain of volcanoes along which Earth forms new crust.

Santorini: The ground is moving again in paradise

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:38:38 EDT

The Santorini caldera, which sits underneath a famous tourist destination, is awake again and rapidly deforming at levels never seen before.

NASA radar to study Hawaii's most active volcano

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:24:24 EST

An airborne radar developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., has returned to Hawaii to continue its study of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii's current most active volcano.

'Extinct' for 150 years, an iconic Galápagos giant tortoise species lives

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:57:57 EST

Representatives of a giant tortoise species that had apparently been driven to extinction by humans more than 150 years ago must be alive today, if in very small numbers. Researchers have come to this conclusion based on the "genetic footprints" of the long-lost species Chelonoidis elephantopus in the DNA of their hybrid sons and daughters.

Tortoise species thought to be extinct still lives, genetic analysis reveals

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:57:57 EST

Dozens of giant tortoises of a species believed extinct for 150 years may still be living at a remote location in the Galápagos Islands, a genetic analysis reveals.

Lava fingerprinting reveals differences between Hawaii's twin volcanoes

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:59:59 EST

Hawaii's main volcano chains -- the Loa and Kea trends -- have distinct sources of magma and unique plumbing systems connecting them to the Earth's deep mantle, according to new research.

Supervolcanoes: Not a threat for 2012

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:03:03 EST

The geological record holds clues that throughout Earth's 4.5-billion-year lifetime massive supervolcanoes, far larger than Mount St. Helens or Mount Pinatubo, have erupted. However, despite the claims of those who fear 2012, there's no evidence that such a supereruption is imminent.

Mapping the formation of an underwater volcano

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:33:33 EDT

On Oct. 9, 2011, an underwater volcano started to emerge in waters off El Hierro Island in the Canaries, Spain. Researchers only needed 15 days to map its formation in high resolution. The volcanic cone has reached a height of 100 m and the lava tongue flows down its side, even though its activity has slowed down in the past few days.

Fiery volcano offers geologic glimpse into land that time forgot

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:04:04 EDT

The first scientists to witness exploding rock and molten lava from a deep sea volcano, seen during a 2009 expedition, report that the eruption was near a tear in Earth's crust that is mimicking the birth of a subduction zone.

CSI-style investigation of meteorite hits on Earth

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:51:51 EDT

Volcanologists have forensically reconstructed the impact of a meteorite on Earth and how debris was hurled from the crater to devastate the surrounding region.