New research using upgraded seismic monitoring stations reveals that long-quiet volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest's Cascade region contain large magma reservoirs that can persist for thousands of years without erupting. The study, published in the journal Nature, suggests these magma chambers, discovered beneath Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, and other volcanoes, are not currently a threat as they are only partially melted.
The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universeEngaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviewsLong-quiet volcanoes in the Cascades region of the Pacific Northwest are still underpinned by large reservoirs of magma, new research finds.Scientists have debated whether magma can persist in the upper crust under volcanoes for long periods or whether it moves into these shallow regions shortly before an eruption.
Three Sisters and Mount Shasta did not show similar patterns, but that could have been due to a lack of seismic measurements, the researchers wrote. Inflation of the ground near Three Sisters in recent years does suggest there is magma moving in the area. Magma reservoirs aren't like underground lakes of fire. Rather, they're made of porous rock through which liquid magma moves. Only when the portion of liquid magma goes over 35% does the reservoir have the potential to erupt. Pang and his colleagues don't have direct measurements of what percentage of the magma below these mountains is melted, but they calculated that it could range from 3% to 32%.
VOLCANOES MAGMA SEISMIC MONITORING CASCADE RANGE EARTH SCIENCE
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