erupt

Can a volcano erupt after tens of thousands of years of dormancy? If so, how can this be explained and what makes volcanic eruptions more dangerous, i.e., explosive? These are key questions in volcanic hazard assessment and can also draw attention to volcanoes that appear to be inactive. Even in a quiet, dormant phase, a volcano can rapidly become active, and its eruption can pose a previously unknown threat to the surrounding area. New research by…

Yesterday, December 5, a minor solar storm struck the Earth sparking auroras in the arctic circles. It was a minor affair, but the solar activities have been relentless with the Sun nearing the peak of its solar cycle. In the last 24 hours, three separate M-class solar flares have erupted on the Sun, releasing extreme ultraviolet radiation. The radiation has resulted in triggering short-wave radio blackouts on Earth, as per data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is unclear at this point whether…

On the night of October 2 a worrisome earthquake shook the towns above Campi Flegrei, a huge, long-dormant volcano immediately west of Naples, whipping local media and authorities into a frenzy. Journalists speculated that lava might start flowing from the volcano, threatening the 1.3 million people who live in high-risk areas near its center. Vulcanologists called for existing evacuation plans, which assume that an eruption can be predicted 72 hours in advance, to be updated to include the possibility of having to…

The volcanic eruption at Geldingadalir, Fagradalsfjall, Iceland, in 2021. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Residents of Grindavik, a fishing town in southwestern Iceland, have evacuated and a state of emergency has been declared, as local authorities say a volcanic eruption may be imminent. The region has been seismically…

The Sun has turned volatile and its activity is expected to increase further as the peak of solar cycle 25 comes closer. The current solar cycle has already exceeded expectations, with more number of sunspots already seen than predicted. Earth could be in line to face CMEs, solar flares, solar storms, and other particles with potentially disastrous consequences in the coming weeks and months.In a new development, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which carries a full suite of instruments to observe the Sun, has…

A 'mantle nodule', a fragment of rock that was ripped from the base of the continental plate during these energetic eruptions. The photograph was taken under a microscope and measures about 4 cm across. Credit: Dr. Tom Gernon, University of Southampton New research into the forces that bring diamonds to the surface from deep in the Earth's mantle could help locate undiscovered diamond deposits, say Macqurie University…

In the early hours of July 12, a single M-class solar flare was produced by an emerging sunspot on the northeastern limb of the Sun, and it sparked blackouts over the North American continent, as per reports. But since then, as many as 8 different M-class solar flares have been produced by the same region, sunspot AR3372, the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory has detected. The flares have sparked a rolling series of blackouts all across the Earth. The sunspot appears to be highly reactive and crackling with activity. This…

When you hear news reports about volcanoes spewing lava and ash, you may worry about the people nearby. In fact, almost one in ten people around the world live within 100 kilometers of an active volcano. For those living close to volcanoes, farming on their fertile soils, or visiting their spectacular landscapes, it is crucial to understand the drivers of eruption.Why is the volcano erupting? How will the eruption evolve? When will it finish?Our new research published in Science Advances applies laser technology to read…

Popocatepetl volcano spews incandescent material as seen from Paso de Cortés on May 23, 2023 in Amecameca, Mexico. Photo: Cristopher Rogel Blanquet (Getty Images)After a week of rumbling eruptions, Popocatépetl volcano is finally slowing down. The central Mexican volcano has been showing signs of activity, releasing smoke and a lot more since May 15. But the eruptions are finally stopping, and the volcano is emitting less ash this week, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said during a Tuesday press conference,…

This month saw the announcement of one of the most exciting findings about Venus in decades: the first direct evidence of an active volcano there. But rather than jubilation, the mood in the planetary science community is grim, as funding has been gutted for a key Venus mission that was poised to answer some of the biggest questions about the planet and its volcanic activity.  Venus is a hellish, inhospitable place with scorching surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure 100 times greater than Earth. Its surface is…