Kamal Ghorui
Mount Uturuncu, a Bolivian volcano, is not on the brink of a massive eruption as previously feared. New research reveals its ‘zombie’ behaviour stems from migrating hydrothermal fluids and gases, not an imminent magma buildup.
A huge shadow has been hanging over the Bolivian Plateau for many years. Standing more than 6,000 meters above the level of the ocean, Mount Uturuncu has always intrigued and slightly terrified scientists all around the world for many years. The volcano has not erupted completely in about 250,000 years.However, despite being inactive in technical terms, Uturuncu has been, in the past few years, behaving as though it is a giant sleeping fitfully. Using satellites and sensors on the ground, it has been possible to detect continuous earthquakes, constant emissions of gas, and the occurrence of a weirdly changing deformation of the ground around the peak. This odd geometric deformation, referred to in scientific literature as sombrero topography, leads to the swelling of the main peak, while the adjacent slopes are subsiding. For quite some time, the interpretation of this signal appeared to be clear and reassuring.Moving beyond the eruption countdownWhat used to seem as an ominous sign caused the nickname of a zombie volcano to be attached to Uturuncu. It seemed that another eruption could become imminent, since new batches of hot magma were making their way up from the depths. However, it is seldom that the natural processes are that simple.A breakthrough study published in the PNAS journal completely reshapes our understanding of what is happening inside the restless mountain. The research project reveals that the internal mechanics of the volcano are far more complex than a straightforward countdown to an explosion.By utilising high-resolution seismic imaging and cutting-edge rock-physics modelling, the team of scientists peeked directly through the stone heart of the mountain. They discovered that a massive, immediate buildup of explosive magma is not causing the surface bulging. Instead, the unrest is better explained by a dynamic, churning network of hydrothermal fluids and high-pressure gases migrating through the upper crust of the Earth.
While still active and hot, this discovery reduces immediate eruption concerns, suggesting the volcano is expelling steam rather than preparing to explode. Image Credits: Wikipedia
This implies that although there is a vast amount of heated magma underground, which serves as the energy source behind this whole process, it is the hot gases which are causing all the commotion at the surface. This volcano cannot be compared to an overinflated balloon anymore, but instead should be likened to a highly complicated system of steam pipes.The perceived danger from the dormant volcanoSuch a great change in thinking affects people’s perception of the danger the Bolivian volcano poses. These new results don’t suggest that this volcano is now inactive. Instead, the internal processes remain extremely active, hot, and dangerous.However, the new data significantly lowers the immediate fear factor that has surrounded the site for years. An analysis shared by the University of Oxford notes that understanding these shallow fluid pathways helps lower the expectation of a sudden, magmatic blast. The ground is moving because hot gases are searching for an exit, not because an unstoppable wall of lava is on the verge of breaking through the crater.This revised view demonstrates a new pattern developing within modern geology. With increasing developments in imaging technologies, we now know that volcano activity doesn’t necessarily spell trouble. In many cases, the volcano is simply expelling steam from an old heat source deep beneath the Earth’s surface through a network of underground pathways.Although scientists will certainly keep an eye on the relationship between the shallow steam vents and the magma chambers beneath, the environment can relax a little bit for the time being. This “zombie” volcano is sure not quieting down any time soon, but it seems more intent on cleaning out its pipes than blowing its top.
