Volcanic eruptions are major hazards that have a profound impact on both the local populations and the environment.
Presently, volcanic activity is forecasted using observations from the volcano itself and the molten rock located in the upper crust, which is prone to eruption.
New findings emphasize the value of examining deeper layers within the Earth's crust, where rocks initially melt into magma before ascending to nearer surface chambers.
A collaborative effort by researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Bristol has provided new insights into the frequency, composition, and magnitude of volcanic eruptions globally.
The research indicates that the size and frequency of eruptions are connected to the duration required for magma to form at depths up to 20 kilometers, and the dimensions of these deep-seated reservoirs.
According to the study published in Science Advances, these insights could lead to more accurate predictions of volcanic eruptions, thereby enhancing community safety and environmental protection.
Researchers reviewed data from 60 significant volcanic eruptions across nine countries, including the United States, New Zealand, Japan, and several South and Central American nations.
"We looked at volcanoes around the world and dug deeper than previous studies that focused on shallow underground chambers where magma is stored before eruptions. We focused on understanding magma source reservoirs deep beneath our feet, where extreme heat melts solid rocks into magma at depths of around 10 to 20 kilometres," explained Dr. Catherine Booth, Research Associate in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London.
The team utilized real-world data alongside advanced computer models to examine the underlying rock structures and historical data from active volcanoes to better understand how magma accumulates and behaves at great depths, before ascending to surface volcanoes.
Through simulations, researchers gained further understanding of the factors influencing volcanic eruptions.
"Our study suggests that the buoyancy of the magma, rather than the proportion of solid and molten rock, is what drives eruptions," Dr. Booth noted. "As magma becomes buoyant enough to float, it rises and creates fractures in the overlying rock, allowing it to flow rapidly and cause an eruption."
The study also found that the length of time magma resides in shallower chambers affects the size of an eruption, with longer storage periods typically resulting in less severe eruptions.
Additionally, researchers discovered that while larger reservoirs might be expected to cause more significant eruptions, excessively large reservoirs dissipate heat and slow the melting process, indicating an optimal reservoir size for major eruptions.
The findings also underscore that eruptions are rarely isolated events but part of a continuous cycle. High-silica magma, which the study identified in many volcanoes, tends to be more viscous and explosive.
Co-author Professor Matt Jackson, Chair in Geological Fluid Dynamics at Imperial, stated, "By improving our understanding of the processes behind volcanic activity and providing models that shed light on the factors controlling eruptions, our study is a crucial step towards better monitoring and forecasting of these powerful geological events."
Related Links
Imperial College London
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