Student Article

The volcanic activity occurring around the globe has sparked concern among scientists and residents alike.

What’s rumbling in Iceland?

In Iceland, thousands of small earthquakes are shaking the area near Svartsengi, a geothermal power plant situated on the Reykjanes Peninsula. These earthquakes are signs that magma from deep beneath the Earth’s surface is moving upwards. This may or may not result in an eruption, but the potential is there. If the magma does rise, it could create fissures in the ground, particularly near the small town of Grindavik. While scientists are monitoring the situation closely, the lack of a clear pattern leaves them uncertain as to whether the magma will remain trapped below or burst forth in an eruption. Citizens in the affected areas have already been evacuated as a precaution.

Volcanoes popping up around the world

In Sicily, Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has once again erupted, sending ash plumes into the atmosphere. Mount Etna’s eruptions are a regular occurrence, often producing lava flows, ash clouds, and occasional pyroclastic flows, but the most recent eruption has caused concern for nearby towns. Elsewhere in the world, at least 45 other volcanoes are currently active, including Mount Mayon in the Philippines and Krakatau in Indonesia. These volcanoes are not posing an immediate threat, but they are still producing lava outbursts and small eruptions that could potentially escalate.

How do volcanoes erupt anyway?

The science behind volcanic eruptions is both fascinating and dangerous. Volcanoes erupt when magma from the mantle, the Earth’s thick, molten interior, rises to the surface. The magma pushes through vents or cracks in the Earth’s crust, releasing gas, lava, and ash into the atmosphere. While eruptions can be relatively small, they can also be catastrophic.

What happened in the past?

In the case of Iceland, volcanoes tend to produce lava flows that spread over large areas, as seen in the 1783 eruption of Laki, which released dangerous gases and caused devastating weather patterns. However, volcanoes located above subduction zones — areas where one tectonic plate slides beneath another — are more likely to cause explosive eruptions, as the magma in these regions tends to be more viscous and gas-rich. Some of the most destructive eruptions in history have come from such volcanoes, including Krakatau in 1883, which led to the deaths of 36,000 people, and Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia, which killed over 23,000 people in 1985.

Should we be worried?

For the most part, no, but there are a few exceptions. Iceland’s current volcanic activity is a reminder of the potential threat in regions prone to eruptions. However, for the majority of the world’s volcanoes, the activity is manageable and can be prepared for, with evacuation plans and safety measures in place.

© Bill McGuire / Our Media