An international team of geoscientists has undertaken the most detailed study ever of a sleeping giant—Bolivia’s Uturuncu volcano. This geological wonder has been in repose for the last 250,000 years. But even though it’s been dormant for so long, scientists have discovered that magma is still rumbling under the surface of this giant. Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could enhance predictions for eruptions of the 1,400 other potentially active volcanoes worldwide.
Uturuncu is known as a “zombie volcano” – it’s not erupted in thousands of years. It’s still an incredibly geologically active world. Chinese, British and American researchers collaborated on the study to understand the volcano’s internal structure. They dove into this exploration with a fierce commitment to their charge. This includes insights into what they described as the volcano’s “bones,” “blood vessels,” and “nervous system,” providing a comprehensive understanding of its behavior.
Seismologists studied nearly 1,700 tiny earthquakes that erupted underneath Uturuncu, uncovering important clues about the volcano’s inner workings. During that time, the researchers warned that Uturuncu has already been on the rise, geologically speaking, foreshadowing a move from slate to active volcano.
“Combining our seismic analysis with previous geophysical imaging results and rock physics modeling, we delineate pathways of migrating fluids traveling toward the surface and a shallow gas accumulation zone beneath the crater,” stated the study team.
Matthew Pritchard, an earth sciences professor at Cornell University, took part in the study. He explained the significance of their findings. He added that it’s vital to understand the processes that are playing out at Uturuncu. Such knowledge would help identify where liquids and gases could serve as reservoirs for important minerals.
If you ask us, the processes going on at Uturuncu are the most interesting aspect of the study. They show the flow of liquids and gases that could create a mineral storehouse, which may be invaluable to technology now or in the future,” Pritchard explained.
Even with these exciting discoveries, scientists argue that Uturuncu is still at low risk of eruption in the near future. This study brings attention to one of the Columbia River Plateau’s most enigmatic volcanoes. More importantly, it sets the stage for anticipating volcanic eruptions at other locations around the globe.
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