Volcanoes are geological formations created by the eruption of magma from beneath the Earth’s crust, resulting in the accumulation of volcanic rock on the surface. They are primarily found at tectonic plate boundaries—either converging, where one plate is subducted beneath another, or diverging, where plates move apart. Volcanoes can also form over hotspots, where mantle plumes heat the crust. These structures can vary significantly in shape and size, from the classic conical peaks like Mount Fuji to massive shield volcanoes like Mauna Loa. Volcanic activity involves the expulsion of lava, ash, and gases into the environment, which can have both destructive and beneficial effects. Eruptions can devastate local ecosystems, bury communities, and disrupt global climate patterns. However, volcanic soil is rich in nutrients, supporting robust agricultural activities, and geothermal energy derived from volcanoes can be harnessed for power. Studying volcanoes helps scientists understand Earth’s internal processes and mitigate the risks associated with volcanic eruptions.
New research shows earthquakes significantly contributed to Pompeii’s devastation during Vesuvius’s 79CE eruption. Nearly 2,000 years ago, Pliny the Younger wrote letters describing a shaking…
ESA missions discovered frost near Mars’s equator, a surprising find given the area’s typically higher temperatures. This frost, appearing temporarily on the Tharsis volcanoes, suggests…
The beginning of a long, disruptive volcanic episode near Iceland’s capital. Iceland faces a prolonged volcanic threat on the Reykjanes Peninsula, impacting key infrastructure and…
Researchers predict recurring volcanic eruptions in Iceland due to the interconnected magma system beneath the Reykjanes Peninsula. Given the volcanic activity in Iceland over the…
Researchers have developed a fiber optic gyroscope prototype to monitor ground rotations during earthquakes in Campi Flegrei, Naples. This advanced sensor system, capturing rotational and…
Frost detected on Mars’ equatorial volcanoes suggests unexpected climate dynamics and ancient weather patterns, offering insights into the planet’s water cycle and atmospheric conditions essential…
A volcanic fissure on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula came alive again with voluminous, vigorous flows. Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula experienced a volcanic eruption in late May 2024,…
Researchers at the University at Buffalo developed a new tool to measure lava viscosity directly in volcanic environments, enhancing our understanding of lava flows and…
Recent analyses of NASA’s Magellan radar data revealed two volcanic eruptions on Venus in the early 1990s, adding to previous discoveries of volcanic activity. These…
Research on Martian meteorites reveals unique geological insights into Mars’ crust and mantle, aiding our understanding of the planet’s volcanic and atmospheric history. Mars has…
Harrat Khaybar, a major volcanic field in Saudi Arabia, showcases a diverse range of volcanoes and eruptions, reflecting millions of years of geological activity. The…
The Kīlauea volcano erupted like a stomp-rocket in 2018, new research shows. While no two volcanic eruptions are exactly alike, scientists think a series of…
New research shows that mercury pollution from volcanism caused prolonged ecological disturbances and plant stress for over a million years following the end-Triassic mass extinction….
New research into molten rock 20km below the Earth’s surface could help save lives by improving the prediction of volcanic activity. Volcanic eruptions pose significant…
A powerful volcanic eruption lofted ash high into the atmosphere and spread tephra and other volcanic debris across the small island in Indonesia. Ruang is…
Research using isotopic analysis of Io’s atmosphere suggests the moon has been volcanically active since the Solar System’s formation, influenced by tidal forces from Jupiter…
The latest fissure eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula was the largest of four recent bouts of activity near the town of Grindavík. Lava poured from…
An in-depth study of the submerged volcanic deposits surrounding Japan’s Kikai caldera shed light on both the mechanisms of deposition and the scale of the…