Melting Glaciers Could Set Off Volcanoes in Chain Reaction, Scientists Sound Chilling Alarm
Ice cover delays volcanic eruptions, allowing magma to build up heat and pressure underground. When released, this leads to far more powerful and destructive explosions
As global temperatures rise, the melting of glaciers and ice sheets is causing more than just an increase in sea levels. Scientists warn that this marks the beginning of a perilous chain reaction with the potential to affect the entire planet.
Recent international research has discovered that melting ice is intensifying volcanic activity. Pablo Moreno-Yager and his team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, conducted this research in Chile's Andes mountains. Their study of the Mocho-Choshuenco volcano revealed that as ice layers diminish, the pressure on the subterranean magma chamber decreases, leading to more explosive eruptions.
Previously, concerns about glacier melt focused on rising sea levels, floods, and climate imbalance. This new research highlights that ice layers play a crucial role in controlling volcanic pressure. When these layers melt, trapped gases and magma are released unchecked, causing significant explosions.
Watch The Video Here
This is a roaring glacial melt, under the bridge to Kangerlussiauq, Greenland where it's 22C today and Danish officials say 12 billions tons of ice melted in 24 hours, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/Rl2odG4xWj — Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) August 1, 2019
Research on Chilean volcanoes shows that 26,000 to 18,000 years ago, volcanic activity was minimal due to the extensive ice cover. As the ice melted 13,000 years ago, volcanic explosions became more frequent and intense.
If these Antarctic volcanoes become active, the consequences will be dire. Massive amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane could be released, accelerating global warming.
A Double Threat Beneath Antarctica
Scientists caution that this creates a destructive cycle: global warming melts ice, causing volcanic eruptions, which further increase atmospheric heat. If this cycle is not interrupted, it could spiral out of control.
Furthermore, prolonged prevention of volcanic eruptions due to ice cover allows magma to accumulate deep underground, increasing in temperature and density. When eventually released, it results in more powerful explosions.
The Warning Isn't Limited To One Nation
Initially thought to be a regional issue, it is now evident that countries like US, New Zealand, Russia, and India's Himalayan region could face similar threats.
Given the critical importance of understanding this relationship, scientists urge the world to take these findings seriously and invest in further research to mitigate potential disasters.
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News18
8 hours ago
- News18
Melting Glaciers Could Set Off Volcanoes in Chain Reaction, Scientists Sound Chilling Alarm
Last Updated: Ice cover delays volcanic eruptions, allowing magma to build up heat and pressure underground. When released, this leads to far more powerful and destructive explosions As global temperatures rise, the melting of glaciers and ice sheets is causing more than just an increase in sea levels. Scientists warn that this marks the beginning of a perilous chain reaction with the potential to affect the entire planet. Recent international research has discovered that melting ice is intensifying volcanic activity. Pablo Moreno-Yager and his team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, conducted this research in Chile's Andes mountains. Their study of the Mocho-Choshuenco volcano revealed that as ice layers diminish, the pressure on the subterranean magma chamber decreases, leading to more explosive eruptions. Previously, concerns about glacier melt focused on rising sea levels, floods, and climate imbalance. This new research highlights that ice layers play a crucial role in controlling volcanic pressure. When these layers melt, trapped gases and magma are released unchecked, causing significant explosions. Watch The Video Here This is a roaring glacial melt, under the bridge to Kangerlussiauq, Greenland where it's 22C today and Danish officials say 12 billions tons of ice melted in 24 hours, yesterday. — Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) August 1, 2019 Research on Chilean volcanoes shows that 26,000 to 18,000 years ago, volcanic activity was minimal due to the extensive ice cover. As the ice melted 13,000 years ago, volcanic explosions became more frequent and intense. If these Antarctic volcanoes become active, the consequences will be dire. Massive amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane could be released, accelerating global warming. A Double Threat Beneath Antarctica Scientists caution that this creates a destructive cycle: global warming melts ice, causing volcanic eruptions, which further increase atmospheric heat. If this cycle is not interrupted, it could spiral out of control. Furthermore, prolonged prevention of volcanic eruptions due to ice cover allows magma to accumulate deep underground, increasing in temperature and density. When eventually released, it results in more powerful explosions. The Warning Isn't Limited To One Nation Initially thought to be a regional issue, it is now evident that countries like US, New Zealand, Russia, and India's Himalayan region could face similar threats. Given the critical importance of understanding this relationship, scientists urge the world to take these findings seriously and invest in further research to mitigate potential disasters. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
8 hours ago
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How melting glaciers can lead to more volcanic eruptions
The rise in melting glaciers and ice caps can result in more frequent and more explosive volcanic eruptions, according to a new study. It also stated that the greatest risk of a resurgence of volcanic eruptions lies in West Antarctica, where approximately 100 volcanoes are buried under thick ice. This ice is expected to disappear in the coming decades and centuries due to soaring global temperatures. The research was presented at the 2025 Goldschmidt Conference, which is currently underway in Prague. It is the largest international conference dedicated to geochemistry, organised by the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry. Other continental regions, such as parts of North America, New Zealand, and Russia, could also observe an increase in volcanicity, Pablo Moreno-Yaeger, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (US), said during the presentation. Climate change & volcanic eruptions Scientists first suggested that melting ice could affect volcanic activity in the 1970s. Usually, the weight of the ice exerts pressure on underground magma chambers of volcanoes. However, when glaciers or ice caps melt, this pressure is reduced, and underground gases and magma expand which can ultimately result in explosive eruptions. Such a phenomenon has already occurred on the planet. For instance, in Iceland, during major deglaciation (the last of which occurred between 15,000 and 10,000 years before the present), volcanic eruption rates were 30 to 50 times higher than they are today. Studies have also found that the decrease in pressure due to ice loss can result in the production of magma. That is because rocks held at lower pressure tend to melt at lower temperatures. Another factor which seems to affect volcanic activity is precipitation. 'Precipitation — also modified by climate change — can infiltrate deep underground and react with the magma system to trigger an eruption,' Thomas Aubry, a researcher at the University of Exeter (England), told Polytechnique Insights. The latest study has reiterated these findings. It examined Chile's Mocho Choshuenco volcano to estimate the age of volcanic rocks produced before, during, and after the last ice age. The research found that due to a thick ice sheet over the volcano, pressure had suppressed the volume of eruptions between 26,000 and 18,000 years ago. This led to the formation of a large reservoir of magma that had built up 10 to 15 km below the volcano's surface. However, once this ice sheet melted, about 13,000 years ago, explosive eruptions took place. The fallouts Volcanic eruptions can cause temporary cooling as they release ash or dust into the atmosphere which blocks sunlight. These eruptions also emit sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere which is more effective than ash particles at cooling the climate. Sulfur dioxide goes into the stratosphere and reacts with water to form sulfuric acid aerosols. These aerosols reflect incoming solar radiation, leading to the cooling of the Earth's surface. 'The aerosols can stay in the stratosphere for up to three years, moved around by winds and causing significant cooling worldwide. Eventually, the droplets grow large enough to fall to Earth,' according to the US Center for Science Education. However, sustained volcanic eruptions can release large amounts of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, which could further heat the planet. This can become a vicious cycle — as global temperatures rise, there will be a higher rate of melting of ice, which could cause more eruptions and further global warming.
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Antarctic water is dramatically getting saltier. It's not good news
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