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Researchers Discover Unexpected Magma Systems Lurking Beneath 'Boring' Volcanoes - ScienceAlert

Researchers Discover Unexpected Magma Systems Lurking Beneath 'Boring' Volcanoes - ScienceAlert

Researchers Discover Unexpected Magma Systems Lurking Beneath 'Boring' Volcanoes - ScienceAlert
Aug 02, 2020 48 secs

Analysing microscopic crystals in the basalt and ejected material of two volcanoes in the Galápagos, the researchers discovered hidden systems of magma that are not so simple or predictable after all.

Even though the Wolf and Fernandina volcanoes in the Galápagos have seemingly spewed the same basaltic lava for their entire existence, the new findings suggest they are sitting on a chemically diverse system of molten rocks, some of which have the potential to set into motion explosive activity.

While the Wolf and Fernandina volcanoes are thought to spew mostly-uniform basaltic lava, which has relatively low viscosity, the new study found evidence for other evolved magma forms flowing below at various depths.

This diversity of magma, however, appears to be drowned out by large volumes of basaltic magma, ascending through the crust from a hot spot, or plume of hot magma, beneath Wolf and Fernandina.

Underneath Wolf and Fernandina, researchers found magma compositions similar to those that erupted at Mount St

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