Can ‘extinct’ volcanoes still erupt? A Greek peak holds surprising clues
Tiny zircon crystals found in the Methana volcano in Greece suggest that magma can accumulate underground for thousands of years, even in volcanoes considered extinct. Researchers say this challenges the current classification of dormant or extinct volcanoes and could improve future eruption predictions. The findings were published in Science Advances on April 22, 2026.
- ▪The Methana volcano in Greece was dormant for over 100,000 years but shows evidence of ongoing magma buildup.
- ▪Zircon crystals indicate that magma accumulated underground between eruptions, even during long quiet periods.
- ▪Scientists now suggest that some volcanoes labeled as extinct may still be capable of erupting.
- ▪The study was led by Razvan-Gabriel Popa, a volcanologist at ETH Zurich, and published in Science Advances.
- ▪Methana's last eruption occurred approximately 2,250 years ago, leaving behind igneous rock deposits visible today.
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News Earth Can ‘extinct’ volcanoes still erupt? A Greek peak holds surprising clues Tiny crystals suggest magma can build underground for thousands of years Researchers pieced together the eruption history of the Methana volcano. Here, brown igneous rocks from its last eruption, which was about 2,250 years ago, pile over limestone and extend into the sea. Răzvan-Gabriel Popa/ETH Zurich By Skyler Ware April 28, 2026 at 3:31 pm Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Listen to this article This is a human-written story voiced by AI. Got feedback? Take our survey .
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