Volcano Content

Recent Volcanoes on the Moon?

Andy Fell — September 04, 2024 - 3:09pm

New results from China’s Chang’e 5 lunar samples returned to Earth provide evidence for active volcanoes on the Moon as recently as 120 million years ago. Previously, scientists had thought that any activity with magma (molten rock) rising to the Moon’s surface ended billions of years ago.

Mushy Magma Under Yellowstone

Andy Fell — December 02, 2022 - 10:57am

There is more magma under the Yellowstone caldera than previously thought, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign published in Science Dec. 1. But that doesn't make a devastating eruption more likely, and the caldera is not showing signs of 'volcanic unrest,' researchers said.

Putting Science Into Practice: Preparing for Volcanic Eruptions

Andy Fell — October 26, 2021 - 3:54pm

Coordinating the emergency response to an erupting volcano is an all-hands-on-deck affair that leaves little time for extra work, such as answering boatloads of inquiries from researchers who want to collect rock samples. On the other hand, science done during eruptions provides essential data for understanding and forecasting future volcanic flare-ups.

Volcanic Crystals Give a New View of Magma

Andy Fell — June 15, 2017 - 2:31pm

Volcanologists are gaining a new understanding of what’s going on inside the magma reservoir that lies below an active volcano, and they’re finding a colder, more solid place than previously thought, according to new research published June 16 in the journal Science. It’s a new view of how volcanoes work, and could eventually help volcanologists get a better idea of when a volcano poses the most risk.