Scientists have found that the Methana volcano in Greece, which has long been thought to be dormant for hundreds of thousands of years, is storing vast amounts of magma beneath its surface. This discovery raises new questions about the potential risks posed by volcanoes that appear silent.
For over 100,000 years, the Methana volcano, located 50 kilometers southwest of the capital Athens, has seemed dormant, without any lava eruptions or explosions. However, recent research has revealed that the volcano has been continuously accumulating large quantities of magma deep within, necessitating a reassessment of the risks associated with silent volcanoes.
Details of the Discovery
The findings underscore the importance of monitoring volcanoes that appear dormant, even in the absence of recent volcanic activity. According to a study published in the journal Science Advances, scientists evaluated tiny zircon crystals that form within magma reservoirs in the Earth's crust during cooling. These crystals act as time capsules, retaining information about when and where they formed and the surrounding conditions.
Volcanologist Olivier Bachmann from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich explained that zircon crystals serve as precise flight recorders, enabling researchers to determine the age of over 1,250 crystals over 700,000 years of volcanic history, allowing them to accurately reconstruct the internal life of the volcano.
Background & Context
Historically, there has been a belief that volcanoes that have not erupted for long periods are safe, but this discovery highlights the need to reevaluate this notion. Analysis has shown that magma has been produced almost continuously beneath the Methana volcano, despite the exceptional quiet period that has lasted for over 100,000 years.
Researchers believe that the growth of zircon crystals peaked beneath the volcano, providing clear evidence of intense magmatic activity. They also discovered that the magma feeding the upper chamber of the volcano is very rich in water, complicating the situation further.
Impact & Consequences
The results indicate that a long period of volcanic silence does not necessarily mean that the volcano is dormant; it may instead indicate the accumulation of a large magmatic system, which could be more dangerous. Researchers warned that these volcanoes may remain quiet for thousands of years while quietly storing energy, later transforming into highly hazardous systems.
This discovery has significant implications for volcanic risk assessment, especially in regions such as Greece, Italy, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan, where these findings could lead to a reevaluation of the danger level of volcanoes that have remained dormant for tens of thousands of years.
Regional Significance
In the Arab region, this discovery may affect how natural risks are managed, particularly in countries with dormant volcanoes. There should be strategies for monitoring these volcanoes and assessing potential risks, enhancing the ability of nations to respond to any future volcanic activity.
In conclusion, this discovery highlights the importance of ongoing research into volcanic activity and emphasizes the need to prepare for potential risks that may arise from volcanoes that appear dormant.