Latest news with #volcanology
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Scientists warn one of world's supervolcanoes is awakening and 'will plunge the planet into chaos'
A powerful series of earthquakes at Campi Flegrei, a supervolcano in Italy, has raised fresh concerns among scientists about the risk of a major eruption. In May, the Phlegraean Fields near Naples was shaken by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake, the strongest in 40 years. Over the past six months, scientists have recorded more than 3,000 smaller quakes, known as tremors, a figure far above normal seismic activity for the area. Experts say eruptions are usually preceded with the increase in earthquake activity, as underground pressure builds up. These small quakes can weaken the rock above the volcano's magma chamber, making it easier for magma to push through. Think of it like steam building in a pressure cooker: if the lid gets too weak, it could blow. Geologists have also observed a sharp rise in gases being released from the volcano, another warning sign. Adding to the alarm, carbon dioxide emissions from Campi Flegrei have surged, with Italy's National Institute Of Geophysics And Volcanology (INGV) reporting daily levels between 4,000 and 5,000 tons. Experts say increased gas emissions often mean magma is moving closer to the surface, putting more pressure on the volcano. According to INGV, magma is now just a few miles below the surface, a shallow depth that raises more concern. If pressure continues to build, it could trigger an eruption with little warning, especially with all the recent quakes and gas releases. Christopher Kilburn, leading volcanologist of IGNV, said: 'Distinguishing between gas emissions caused by magma movement versus those resulting from natural rock interactions is absolutely critical.' Campi Flegrei poses a serious threat to over four million people living in the metropolitan area of Naples. If it erupts, the damage could be widespread. Buildings could be destroyed by lava flows, ash clouds, and fast-moving hot gases. Roads, power, and water supplies might be cut off, making life dangerous and chaotic. The city of Naples and nearby towns like Pozzuoli sit close to the Campi Flegrei, putting many lives and homes in the danger zone. A new study led by Gianmarco Buono, a PhD student at University Of Naples Federico II, shows that about 80 per cent of the carbon dioxide released from the Solfatara crater comes directly from magma beneath the Earth's surface. This means the magma is letting out gases, which is a strong sign it might be moving closer to the surface. The other 20 per cent of the gas comes from hot fluids reacting with underground rocks, a natural process that doesn't always mean an eruption is coming. Scientists watch these gas releases along with ground swelling and thousands of small earthquakes because they are key warning signs of future eruptions. When magma moves up, it pushes gases out, building pressure inside the volcano. Too much pressure can cause cracks and trigger a dangerous eruption. Campi Flegrei means 'burning fields'. It's a big volcanic crater formed when a huge eruption thousands of years ago made the ground above the magma chamber collapse. Campi Flegrei's last eruption was in 1538. While it doesn't erupt often - major eruptions happen every few thousand years - the volcano has shown signs of unrest in recent decades. Scientists say it's not possible to predict exactly when the next eruption will happen, but the recent activity means it could come sooner rather than later. Since 2005, the ground in the area has been slowly rising and falling in a process called bradyseism. This happens when magma and gas build up underground, pushing the surface up or letting it sink back down. For example, in the nearby town of Pozzuoli, the ground has risen by about 4.7ft during the current phase. This is like the Earth's surface gently swelling like a balloon as magma pushes from below. Using a mechanical failure model, commonly applied in structural engineering, they studied how the rock beneath Campi Flegrei is responding to stress. Their findings suggest the crust is shifting from simply bending to cracking, a change that often precedes eruptions. 'We are seeing a clear progression toward a state where rupture is more likely,' the scientists noted. Since rising warning signs began in 2005, officials raised the volcano's alert level from green to yellow in 2012. Authorities have developed comprehensive evacuation plans for the millions living in the metropolitan area of Naples, but the challenge remains in ensuring these plans can be executed swiftly and effectively should an eruption become imminent. Campi Flegrei's threat is not just local. About 40,000 years ago, the caldera erupted with such force that it caused one of the worst volcanic disasters in Earth's history, triggering major changes in the global climate. If a similar eruption happened today, its impact would reach far beyond Italy. Ash clouds could blanket much of Europe, grounding flights, damaging crops, and cutting power. Volcanic gases could block sunlight, causing years of cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather that would threaten food supplies worldwide.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists warn one of world's supervolcanoes is awakening: 'It will plunge the planet into chaos'
A powerful series of earthquakes at Campi Flegrei, a massive supervolcano in Italy has raised fresh concerns among scientists about the risk of a major eruption. In May, the Phlegraean Fields near Naples was shaken by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake, the strongest in 40 years. Over the past six months, scientists have recorded more than 3,000 smaller quakes, known as tremors, a figure far above normal seismic activity for the area. Experts say eruptions are usually preceded with the increase in earthquake activity, as underground pressure builds up. These small quakes can weaken the rock above the volcano's magma chamber, making it easier for magma to push through. Think of it like steam building in a pressure cooker, if the lid gets too weak, it could blow. Geologists have also observed a sharp rise in gases being released from the volcano, another warning sign. Adding to the alarm, carbon dioxide emissions from Campi Flegrei have surged, with Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reporting daily levels between 4,000 and 5,000 tons. Experts say increased gas emissions often mean magma is moving closer to the surface, putting more pressure on the volcano. According to Italy 's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), magma is now just a few miles below the surface, a shallow depth that raises more concern. If pressure continues to build, it could trigger an eruption with little warning, especially with all the recent quakes and gas releases. Christopher R. J. Kilburn, leading volcanologist of IGNV said: 'Distinguishing between gas emissions caused by magma movement versus those resulting from natural rock interactions is absolutely critical.' Campi Flegrei poses a serious threat to over four million people living in the metropolitan area of Naples. If it erupts, the damage could be widespread. Buildings could be destroyed by lava flows, ash clouds, and fast-moving hot gases. Roads, power, and water supplies might be cut off, making life dangerous and chaotic. The city of Naples and nearby towns like Pozzuoli sit close to the Campi Flegrei, putting many lives and homes in the danger zone. A new study led by Gianmarco Buono, a PhD student at University of Naples Federico II shows that about 80 percent of the carbon dioxide released from the Solfatara crater comes directly from magma beneath the Earth's surface. This means the magma is letting out gases, which is a strong sign it might be moving closer to the surface. The other 20 percent of the gas comes from hot fluids reacting with underground rocks, a natural process that doesn't always mean an eruption is coming. Scientists watch these gas releases along with ground swelling and thousands of small earthquakes because they are key warning signs for future eruptions. When magma moves up, it pushes gases out, building pressure inside the volcano. Too much pressure can cause cracks and trigger a dangerous eruption. Campi Flegrei means 'burning fields.' It's a big volcanic crater formed when a massive eruption thousands of years ago made the ground above the magma chamber collapse. Campi Flegrei's last eruption was in 1538. While it doesn't erupt often, major eruptions happen every few thousand years, the volcano has shown signs of unrest in recent decades. Scientists say it's not possible to predict exactly when the next eruption will happen, but the recent activity means it could come sooner rather than later. Since 2005, the ground in the area has been slowly rising and falling in a process called bradyseism. This happens when magma and gas build up underground, pushing the surface up or letting it sink back down. For example, in the nearby town of Pozzuoli, the ground has risen by about 4.7 feet during the current phase. This is like the Earth's surface gently swelling like a balloon as magma pushes from below. Using a mechanical failure model, commonly applied in structural engineering, they studied how the rock beneath Campi Flegrei is responding to stress. Their findings suggest the crust is shifting from simply bending to cracking, a change that often precedes eruptions. 'We are seeing a clear progression toward a state where rupture is more likely,' the scientists noted. Since rising warning signs began in 2005, officials raised the volcano's alert level from green to yellow in 2012. Authorities have developed comprehensive evacuation plans for the millions living in the metropolitan area of Naples, but the challenge remains in ensuring these plans can be executed swiftly and effectively should an eruption become imminent. Campi Flegrei's threat is not just local. About 40,000 years ago, Campi Flegrei erupted with such force that it caused one of the worst volcanic disasters in Earth's history, triggering major changes in the global climate. If a similar eruption happened today, its impact would reach far beyond Italy. Ash clouds could blanket much of Europe, grounding flights, damaging crops, and cutting power. Volcanic gases could block sunlight, causing years of cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather that would threaten food supplies worldwide.
CBS News
19-05-2025
- CBS News
Indonesian volcano Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts with huge ash cloud, prompting aviation alert
Jakarta — A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted Monday, emitting an ash cloud more than half of a mile high after authorities put the surrounding area on the highest level of alert, warning another powerful eruption could still be in store. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on the tourist island of Flores erupted shortly after midnight, sending an ash cloud 0.7 miles above its peak, Indonesia's volcanology agency reported. The volcano erupted once more at 9:36 a.m. local time (10:36 p.m. eastern on Sunday), the agency said. The latest rumblings follow authorities on Sunday evening raising the alert level for the 5,197-foot twin-peaked volcano to the highest in the country's four-tiered system. "Lewotobi Laki-Laki's activities are still high," Indonesia's geological agency head Muhammad Wafid warned Sunday. "The potential for a larger eruption than before can occur." Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts, spewing volcanic ash, as seen from Nobo village in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, May 18, 2025. BUNG SILA/AFP/Getty A series of eruptions on Sunday spewed ash over three-and-a-half miles above Laki-Laki's peak, according to the volcanology agency. Wafid urged residents to wear face masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash, while telling people not to carry out any activities within about 3 miles of the crater. The geological agency chief also warned of the possibility of hazardous lahar floods — a type of mud or debris flow — if heavy rain occurs, particularly for communities around rivers that originate at the volcano's peak. In November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted multiple times, killing nine people, cancelling scores of international flights to Bali and forcing the evacuation of thousands. There was no immediate confirmation of flight disruptions on Monday, but the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia, which is responsible under the international advisory network for the region including Indonesia, did issue a red alert notice, indicating possible impacts. A red alert under the VAAC network indicates an eruption is likely or already underway "with significant emission of ash into the atmosphere." Laki-Laki, which means man in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 5,587-foot volcano named Perempuan, after the Indonesian word for woman. Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".
Al Bawaba
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Al Bawaba
Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupts, Indonesia raises high alert
Published May 19th, 2025 - 05:59 GMT ALBAWABA - Authorities in Indonesia raised the alert level following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano, the country's volcanology agency said on Sunday night. Lewotobi Laki-laki, located on Flores island in eastern Indonesia, spewed volcanic ash between 3km and 5.5km high on May 18, the agency's head, Muhammad Wafid, revealed in a statement late on May 18. "Our analysis showed that the activities of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki are still high, so we raised the status level starting on Sunday at 8 p.m.," he added as reported by The Straits Times. Videos and Images were posted on social media showing a thick cloud of ashes rising into the sky following the Lewotobi Laki-laki volcanic eruption. Today in the morning, the volcano erupted again, belching 1.2 km-high ash clouds, authorities in Indonesia confirmed. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Volcano eruption spews debris into sky as ash falls on villages across Philippines
A volcano in central Philippines erupted on Tuesday, spewing a 4.5-kilometre (2.8-mile) ash plume and debris into the sky as its rumblings were heard nearby. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said a moderately explosive eruption occurred at the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano before dawn, lasting five minutes based on seismic and infrasound data. "The eruption generated a greyish voluminous plume that rose approximately 4.5 kilometres above the vent before drifting to the south west," the institute's bulletin added. Ash fell in at least nine villages to the south west of the volcano on Negros island, but no injuries or damage was reported. A level three alert - on a scale of five - that was put in place during Kanlaon's eruption in December remained unchanged, with officials keeping a six kilometre (3.7-mile) danger zone off limits. Kanlaon Volcano mapped: The alert means the volcano is in a state of magmatic unrest, with increased chances of short-lived, moderately explosive eruptions that could generate volcanic hazards. Kanlaon also briefly erupted in April. Its eruption in December prompted the evacuation of thousands of villagers to emergency shelters as the volcano continued showing signs of restiveness. The 2,435-metre (7,988-foot) volcano is one of the country's 24 most active volcanoes. In 1996, three hikers were killed near the peak and several others were later rescued when Kanlaon erupted without warning, officials said at the time. The Philippines is located in the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The archipelago is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and storms a year, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone countries.
