Latest news with #volcanoes
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning to brace for 'Ring of Fire' apocalypse as megaquake sets off devastating chain reaction that has MILLIONS in its path
The megaquake off Russia 's coast may have done more than shake the region, it could trigger volcanic eruptions across the Pacific's 'Ring of Fire.' The Ring of Fire is a 25,000-mile chain of volcanoes and earthquake zones that stretches around the Pacific Ocean, home to about 75 percent of the world's active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
400-mile-long chain of fossilized volcanoes discovered beneath China
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Researchers have discovered a 400-mile-long chain of extinct, fossilized volcanoes buried deep below South China. The volcanoes formed when two tectonic plates collided during the breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia hundreds of millions of years ago, the scientists reported in a new study. The ancient volcanoes extend the region of past volcanism in this area by several hundred miles and may have affected Earth's climate. About 800 million years ago, during the early Neoproterozoic era, South China sat at the northwestern margin of Rodinia. Shifting plate tectonics caused this area to break off into what is now the Yangtze Block plate, pushing it toward the China Ocean plate. As the two plates collided, the denser oceanic crust sank beneath the more buoyant continental crust and slid deep into Earth — a process known as subduction. As oceanic crust subducts, it heats up and releases water, which generates magma. The magma rises to the surface, creating a long, narrow chain of volcanoes that follow a curved line above the subduction zone. This is known as a volcanic arc. Volcanism and mountain building in arc systems create new crust and modify the existing crust. Therefore, researchers study ancient volcanic arcs to understand how crust formed on early Earth. Geologists previously discovered remnants of an extinct volcanic arc along the edge of the Yangtze Block dating back to the early Neoproterozoic. In the new study, published June 30 in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Zhidong Gu, a senior engineer at PetroChina, Junyong Li, a researcher at Nanjing University, and colleagues tested whether these arc volcanoes extended further inland. Fossil mountains can be difficult to find because they're gradually worn down by wind and water and buried beneath layers of sediment. Today, several kilometers of sedimentary rocks blanket the interior of the Yangtze Block, forming the Sichuan Basin. Gu and Li's team used an airborne magnetic sensor to "see" the crust beneath these sedimentary rocks. Different rock types contain different magnetic minerals, so geophysicists use magnetic signals to map underground rock formations. They found a strip of iron-rich rock with a stronger-than-average magnetic field located about 4 miles (6 kilometers) beneath the surface. It formed an approximately 430-mile-long (700 km), 30-mile-wide (50 km) belt stretching from the northeast to the southwest of the Yangtze Block and reaching as far as 550 miles (900 km) inland. Iron-rich rocks like these are generated above subducting oceanic crust. The team also analyzed rocks from seven deep boreholes drilled into the uppermost crust below the Sichuan Basin. They verified that these rocks came from magma and were chemically similar to new crust formed by arc volcanoes. They dated the magmatic rocks to between 770 million and 820 million years ago, confirming that the rocks had formed during the early Neoproterozoic. The researchers concluded that plate subduction during the breakup of Rodinia formed a ring of volcanoes extending hundreds of miles into the Yangtze Block's interior. This finding is surprising, the team said, because most volcanic arcs form narrower belts along the continental margin. For example, the Cascades form a single mountain chain above the Juan de Fuca Plate as it subducts beneath the coast of North America. Gu and Li attributed the wide Yangtze arc to a different style of tectonics, called flat-slab subduction. In flat-slab subduction, the oceanic plate moves horizontally beneath the continental plate at a shallow angle for hundreds of miles before sinking into the Earth. This process produces two distinct volcanic ridges — one near the boundary where the oceanic plate first slips under the continent, and one farther inland, where it finally sinks. Similar shallow subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the west coast of South America forms the parallel mountain ranges of the Andes today. Peter Cawood, an Earth scientist at Monash University in Australia who was not involved in the study, agreed this was one way the inland volcanoes could have formed. However, he proposed an alternative explanation. "It could be that the two belts are not part of one broad arc system and flat slab, but represent two independent but time-equivalent systems that were sutured together," he told Live Science. RELATED STORIES —Lava erupts from gigantic fissure in Iceland following earthquake swarm — and the photos are epic —Melting glaciers could trigger volcanic eruptions around the globe, study finds —Indonesia's Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupts twice in 2 days, unleashing 6-mile-high ash cloud Regardless, Cawood said the work presents an "exciting new set of data in a region that has been difficult to study." He added that it "shows that the volume of magmatic activity along this boundary may be considerably greater than previously realized," and its impact on Earth's past climate should be evaluated. Scientists think the global carbon cycle underwent a major shift during this time interval, based on geochemical records from 720 million to 1 billion-year-old sedimentary rocks. Volcanoes release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but chemical weathering of mountains consumes it. Both processes work to regulate Earth's carbon cycle and climate over millions of years. It remains unclear how the rings of fire in South China could have contributed to this perturbation and any resulting climate instability. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers issue warning over troubling phenomenon that could revive dormant volcanoes: 'It's just like opening a Coca-Cola bottle'
Researchers issue warning over troubling phenomenon that could revive dormant volcanoes: 'It's just like opening a Coca-Cola bottle' As ice caps melt, researchers warn that dormant volcanoes could erupt — and the ripple effects could hit closer to home than you think. What's happening? Scientists say melting glaciers might do more than raise sea levels — they could also stir sleeping giants beneath the Earth's surface, according to Inside Climate News. At a recent science conference in Prague, researchers presented findings showing that shrinking glaciers can trigger volcanic eruptions. A team supported by the National Science Foundation analyzed six volcanoes in the Chilean Andes and found that, thousands of years ago, volcanoes became more active as the last ice age ended. The reason? Less weight holding down the magma. "When you take the load off, it's just like opening a Coca-Cola bottle or a champagne bottle," said Brad Singer, a geologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, per ICN. This shift doesn't just apply to the Andes — scientists warn that as ice sheets continue to retreat in places like Alaska, Iceland, and Antarctica, once-quiet volcanoes could come roaring back to life. Why are these findings concerning? Volcanic eruptions aren't just dramatic — they can be dangerous and far-reaching. Ash can ground planes, contaminate water, and choke crops. If one erupts during another extreme event — such as a heat wave, wildfire, or severe storm — it could overwhelm already strained systems. That's not all that melting ice is changing. Higher tides are worsening flooding during storms, and shifting temperatures are expanding the range of mosquitoes that spread disease. While extreme weather events aren't new, scientists have found that human activity is making many of them more intense — almost like putting extreme weather on steroids. What's being done about it? Scientists are working on better ways to monitor volcanoes and spot warning signs earlier, but preparation doesn't stop with research. Cities are making changes on the ground — from planting more trees to cool neighborhoods, to updating infrastructure and emergency plans. And plenty of groups are stepping up in creative ways. Re:wild is protecting wild spaces that absorb carbon, and Trashie is helping people recycle everything from old sneakers to worn-out clothes instead of sending them to landfills. You, too, can make a difference by exploring critical climate issues. Cutting back on food waste, switching to reusable products, and supporting clean transportation are all great ways to make a difference at home. Do you worry about companies drilling too deep into the ground? Definitely Depends on what it's for Only if it's near my home Not really Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Massive Underground Blobs May Tell Us Where the Next Mass Extinction Could Start
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Volcanoes are responsible for some of the greatest bouts of biological devastation in Earth's history. A new study aims to determine whether giant volcanic eruptions are related to BLOBS—mobile basal structures related to well-known large low-shear-velocity provinces (LLSVPs). Comparing seismic tomography data with their models, the researchers found evidence of slow-moving blobs that shift at about one centimeter per year. The story of life on Earth is also a story about volcanoes—that is, extinction-level volcanic events capable of nearly wiping the planet's biological slate clean. The Permian-Triassic extinction, for instance—which took place some 252 million years ago—can be attributed to an abnormally volcanic region known as the Siberian Traps, and volcanic eruptions also sped along the end of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago (though a ten-kilometer-wide asteroid deserves most of the credit for that one). So, it makes sense that understanding the deep-Earth origins of these events could help scientists reconstruct Earth's geologic history while also improving our ability to predict where massive volcanic eruptions could occur next. In an attempt to get a better picture of what's happening under our feet, a group of scientists—led by researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in Australia—have reconstructed one billion years of mantle convection and 300 million years of plume conduits to determine the origin of Earth's most intense volcanic events. One of the big questions was: Do big lower-mantle basal structures, known as BLOBS, move or stay fixed in one place? After comparing data from three datasets to their models, they found that BLOBs do likely move, albeit very slowly—roughly one centimeter per year. The results were published last week in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. 'Researching the relationships between volcanic eruptions at the surface with such large-scale dynamic processes occurring 2500 km below our feet puts into perspective how interconnected our planet really is,' Annalise Cucchiaro, UOW Ph.D. candidate and the lead author of the study, said in a press statement. 'This work highlights the importance of mantle plumes in acting as 'magma highways' to the surface, creating these giant eruptions. It also shows that these plumes move along with their source, the BLOBS.' Located 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers under Africa and the Pacific Ocean, the depth at which BLOBS move creates lollipop-shaped mantle plumes—the 'stick' forms the plume's tail and the 'candy' forms the plume's head near the surface. The researchers found that eruptions usually take place above or near these blobs, suggesting that mantle plumes also tilt as they rise up toward the lithosphere. A centimeter per year may not seem like much, but over Earth's geologic history, those centimeters add up to significant changes to the planet's geologic story. Although evidence is strong that BLOBS are dynamic objects, the authors note in an article published in The Conversation that one of the four models also supported the fixed BLOBS theory, so that idea can't be entirely ruled out. But with a greater understanding of how BLOBS move, the scientists are now eager to analyze their chemical composition by tracking their evolution over time. 'This research cracks open one of the questions that has long plagued scientists – are the BLOBS stationary or mobile and how do they relate to giant volcanic explosions,' Nicolas Flament, a co-author of the study from UOW, said in a press statement. 'So it is a thrill to finally begin to unravel these mysteries.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life? Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Experts on high alert as multiple volcanoes in 'Pacific Ring of Fire' suddenly come to life
Several volcanoes in the 'Pacific Ring of Fire' have shown increased activity recently, prompting close monitoring by experts for potential eruptions. Also called the Circum-Pacific Belt, it is a 25,000-mile chain of volcanoes and earthquake zones from South America to Alaska, across Japan, and down to New Zealand. The US Geological Survey (USGS) has found four volcanoes, all in the US, which are rumbling, including the Great Sitkin Volcano in Alaska that has been steadil y erupting lava into its summit crater for nearly four years. Recent satellite imagery confirms the eruption remains slow and non-explosive, with lava continuing to flow southwest. In Hawaii, Kilauea has paused its lava fountains but continues to build pressure. Scientists anticipate a new eruptive phase between July 17 and 20. Although lava fountains have ceased, sulfur dioxide emissions remain elevated, measured between 1,200 and 1,500 tons per day, indicating ongoing volcanic activity. Mount Rainier in Washington experienced its largest recorded earthquake swarm in early July, with 334 quakes detected over two days starting July 8, raising vigilance among volcanologists. Offshore Oregon, the underwater Axial Seamount is under close observation, with researchers forecasting an eruption possibly occurring in 2025. According to the scientists, these volcanoes are unpredictable as they are a result of natural movement in the Earth's crust, especially along the Pacific Ring of Fire. That is because this area is where the Pacific tectonic plate sinks under neighboring plates, creating quakes and eruptions. Even with the flurry of quakes and lava, none of these volcanoes currently threaten the nearby communities. Each of the rumbling volcanoes has its own history and behavior pattern. The Great Sitkin Volcano, located in Alaska's Aleutian Islands, began erupting in 2021 after decades of inactivity. In April, USGS volcanologist reported that lava has slowly filled the crater over the years, building a thick dome, but it has not triggered ash clouds or air travel disruptions, a key concern for aviation in the region. Lava is still pushing out of the summit crater at Great Sitkin Volcano in Alaska. It is not explosive, but steady. Small quakes continue, and there is no sign the eruption is ending anytime soon. Mount Spurr, roughly 80 miles west of Anchorage, had its last explosive eruption in 1992, sending ash clouds 40,000 feet into the sky. The recent shallow earthquake swarms echo early warning signs from that event, though experts say there is no magma movement yet. Nearby, Mount Spurr has had shallow earthquake swarms since February. As of now, it is quiet, no gas, no lava, and no expected eruption, but USGS has kept it under an advisory level. However, Kilauea, on Hawaii's Big Island, is being monitored around the clock because of its proximity to residential areas. In 2018, lava flows from the volcano destroyed over 700 homes in the Leilani Estates subdivision. Scientists are now tracking surface deformation, quake movement, and gas emissions to anticipate another potential hazard phase. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world but is not part of the Ring of Fire. It sits above a hot spot in the Earth's mantle, a fixed plume of heat and magma that stays in place while the Pacific Plate moves slowly over it. Seismologists are now concerned that Kilauea is swelling again and showing more quakes, signs it could erupt soon. A vent on the undersea volcano Axial Seamount. Scientists expect an eruption next year, but it will likely go unnoticed by anyone except the seafloor monitoring teams The activity could mark the start of what is known as Episode 29, the latest phase in the volcano's ongoing eruption cycle that began in 1983. The volcano, containing gas, ash, and threads, poses a threat to humans due to its confined nature and potential for eruptions. Mount Rainier, despite not erupting in centuries, remains one of the most hazardous volcanoes in North America because of its massive glacial coverage. A 2023 USGS risk assessment found that even small eruptions or earthquakes could trigger deadly mudflows, known as lahars, capable of reaching communities like Orting and Puyallup within minutes. Earlier this month, the volcano experienced its largest earthquake swarm since 2009, with hundreds of small tremors rattling the area. According to USGS, each quake was under magnitude 1.7 and originated just a few miles beneath the summit, deep enough to raise concern among scientists. While the volcano's alert level remains at 'normal' and no ground deformation has been detected, this swarm adds to approximately thousands, of quakes recorded at Rainier since 2020. Although an eruption is not expected in the immediate future, experts still rank Mount Rainier among the most dangerous volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest due to its potential to unleash lahars, ash fall, and pyroclastic flows. Scientists emphasize that it is not lava that poses the greatest threat, but the lahars. These violent mudflows can form during an eruption or even without one, triggered by intense rainfall, melting snow, or weakened slopes. Off Oregon's coast, Axial Seamount continues to slowly inflate. Scientists expect an eruption next year, but it will likely go unnoticed by anyone except the seafloor monitoring teams. Volcano experts say there is no cause for panic. The activity fits into long-term patterns in the Ring of Fire and Hawaii's hot spot as the scientists are watching them closely.
