Incredible Discovery: could a Volcano Erupt with Water ?

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has been both fascinated and terrified by volcanic eruptions. While these fiery mountains are known for spewing molten rocks and ash, recent discoveries have unveiled a surprising twist – some volcanoes may actually eject water. In this article, we explore these incredible findings that are challenging traditional beliefs about volcanoes.

The Volcanic Discovery: when Water Replaces Lava

A Geysery Encounter

In an area renowned for its geothermal activity, the Yellowstone National Park in the United States is home to approximately 500 geysers, constituting two-thirds of the world’s total. These geysers, more akin to water volcanoes than their magma-spewing counterparts, occur when the underground magmatic chamber heats up surrounding rocks and groundwater, resulting in periodic eruptions of hot gushing water. The most famous of these geysers is ‘Old Faithful’, which reliably erupts every forty-five minutes.

Having covered these unique hydrothermal features on earth, let’s take a step further into our solar system.

Underwater Volcanoes and Methane: a Rising Issue

An Undersea Giant: the Borealis Mud Volcano

Located north of Norway in the Barents Sea exists an active underwater volcano that does not emit lava but liquid mud laden with methane. Known as the Borealis Mud Volcano, it formed a 300-meter wide crater around its cone due to methane eruptions approximately 18, 000 years ago. These subsea mud volcanoes play a crucial role in understanding climate evolution owing to methane’s status as a potent greenhouse gas.

Let’s now turn our attention towards another unusual type of volcano – Ice volcanoes.

Chilling amongst Fire: the Intriguing Phenomenon of Ice Volcanoes

Kiladze Crater: ice Spewing Super Volcano on Pluto

In a remarkable discovery, nASA scientists found a super-volcano on Pluto, named the Kiladze crater, which ejects blocks of ice and ammonia-laden frozen water. Measuring nearly 44 km in diameter, it was formed by collapses triggered by intense seismic activity. This information was gathered from images taken by the New Horizons probe in 2015 and researchers believe that this unique volcano and its surroundings are merely a few million years old.

With these icy behemoths in mind, let’s next delve into where these water-spewing volcanoes originated.

Sleeping or Active Giants ? The Origin of Water-Spitting Volcanoes

From Geysers to Glacial Eruptions

The journey from geothermal geysers at Yellowstone to the icy eruptions at Kiladze crater on Pluto provides intriguing insights into the origins of water-spitting volcanoes. While they may seem different in composition and location, both can be traced back to geological activities influenced by tectonic shifts and magmatic movements.

Their origin is fascinating indeed, but what about their effects ?

The Climate Impact of Unconventional Eruptions

Methane: a Silent Threat to our Climate

Unconventional eruptions such as those spewing methane-rich mud pose substantial challenges for climate change. Methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, making underwater mud volcanoes like Borealis a significant factor in climate evolution studies.

And yet, these unusual volcanic activities could also provide insight into life’s mysterious origins.

On the Trail of Life: volcanoes, water and Mysterious Origins

Life’s Building Blocks in Unlikely Places

The presence of water, ammonia and methane in these unconventional volcanic eruptions suggest that they could potentially harbor life or at least provide the necessary chemicals for its creation. These findings could offer new perspectives on our quest to understand the origins of life on Earth and possibly other celestial bodies.

But what happens when these underwater volcanoes become unexpectedly active ?

When Earth Trembles: the Surprising Activity of Underwater Volcanoes

Underwater Eruptions: silent but Powerful

The activity of underwater volcanoes often goes unnoticed due to their hidden location beneath the sea level. Yet, their eruptions can be immensely powerful, posing significant risks to marine life and even triggering tsunamis.

Exploring the diverse world of volcanology has led us down unexpected paths. From geysers erupting with boiling water to icy plumes on distant Pluto, these unusual volcanic activities broaden our understanding of the dynamic processes shaping planets across our solar system. They also remind us how interconnected everything is – from our actions affecting climate change to shaking up theories about life’s origins, this journey underscores the importance of continual scientific exploration and learning.