The composition of gases could forewarn of increased volcanic activity. Volcanic eruptions are dangerous, but unfortunately, they are also difficult to predict. Now, a team of scientists at the University of Tokyo has discovered that the ratio of atoms in specific gases released from volcanic fumar
Monitoring the composition of magma gasses could help predict dangerous volcanic eruptions. Scientists want to take the knowledge from this discovery and build a 24/7 volcanic activity monitoring and early warning system.Volcanic eruptions are dangerous, but unfortunately, they are also difficult to predict.
Does the thought of standing on a volcano make you quiver with excitement, or fear? For many people, living in the shadow of a volcano is part of daily life. Japan has 111 active volcanoes and an average of 15 volcanic “events,” including eruptions, every year. However, these events — which can be deadly — are notoriously difficult to predict.
“We knew that the helium isotope ratio occasionally changes from a low value, similar to the helium found in the Earth’s crust, to a high value, like that in the Earth’s mantle, when the activity of magma increases. This was based on an observation of the helium isotope ratio of cold spring gas in El Hierro Island, in the Canary Islands , where an eruption occurred in 2011,” explained Professor Hirochika Sumino from the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology.
“We succeeded in detecting changes in the magma-derived argon-40/helium-3 ratio, related to magmatic unrest. Using computer models, we revealed that the ratio reflects how much the magma underground is foaming, making bubbles of volcanic gases which separate from the liquid magma,” explained Sumino. “How much magma foams controls how much magmatic gas is provided to the hydrothermal system beneath a volcano and how buoyant the magma is.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tonga's strange volcanic eruption was even more massive than we knewThe ferocious 2021 explosion blew out 2.3 cubic miles of rock, unleashing a 35-mile-high plume and a global tsunami that sent scientists racing to understand the blast. Now they're finally putting together the pieces.
Read more »
Health Experts Monitoring ‘Very High' Level of Flu Activity in TexasHealth experts in Texas continue to keep an eye on flu cases with an active flu season underway.
Read more »
Highest Coral Cover in Central, Northern Great Barrier Reef Since Monitoring Began 36 Years AgoThis year the northern and central Great Barrier Reef have recorded their highest amount of coral cover since the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) began monitoring 36 years ago. Published recently, AIMS’ Annual Summary Report on Coral Reef Condition for 2021/22 shows another year of
Read more »
UN climate talks poised for deal creating disaster fundNegotiators say they have struck a potential breakthrough deal on the thorniest issue of United Nations climate talks in Egypt: the creation of a fund for compensating poor nations that are victims of extreme weather worsened by rich countries’ carbon pollution.
Read more »
A Broken Twitter Means Broken Disaster ResponseThe loss of this crucial rapid-response platform could be crippling as climate change makes disasters worse.
Read more »