Can ‘extinct’ volcanoes still erupt? A Greek peak holds surprising clues
Researchers studying the Methana volcano in Greece have found evidence that magma can accumulate beneath supposedly extinct volcanoes for thousands of years, challenging the assumption that such volcanoes are permanently inactive. Tiny zircon crystals from the volcano indicate ongoing underground activity during long periods of dormancy. The findings suggest scientists may need to reconsider how they classify volcanoes thought to be extinct.
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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 4 hours ago 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 For more than 100,000 years, a Greek volcano lay silent. But deep underground, it was still growing.
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