The eruption of Mount Pinatubo volcano in June 1991 stands as the second-largest volcanic eruption of the twentieth century. In light of ongoing climate change and its effects on volcanic activity, understanding how volcanoes may change over time is crucial. Jonathan Fink, a volcanologist and director of PSU’s Digital City Testbed Center, has conducted a new study analyzing the connections between society, climate, and volcanoes. He explains that governments rely on past experiences to forecast future volcanic activities. However, with the unprecedented climate change of the past 24,000 years, concepts employed by policymakers and scientists to manage volcanic hazards are quickly becoming outdated.
Currently, there are approximately 500 active volcanoes worldwide, and about 50 of them erupt each year. More than 800 million people live within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of an active volcano. But with today’s climate change pushing society into uncharted territory, volcano-related hazards require a more comprehensive approach from policymakers and scientists. Fink and Idowu “Jola” Ajibade, an associate professor of Geography, suggest that climate change can impact volcanic disasters in two ways. Firstly, another climate-related event can coincide with a volcano-related event, worsening the disaster. Secondly, climate change can directly trigger volcanic eruptions. The rising frequency of climate change-related hazards like wildfires, floods, landslides, and droughts raises the likelihood of these events occurring alongside volcanic eruptions. Predicting and mitigating the combined effects of multiple disasters is far more challenging than dealing with eruptions alone.
To investigate these impacts, the researchers focused on the Pacific Northwest region, which experiences a high frequency of natural and man-made disasters. The region is home to a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) chain of Cascades volcanoes, stretching from northern California to southern British Columbia. Over the past 4,000 years, moments of volcanic rest have been abruptly interrupted by eruptive activity at various volcanoes. Mount St. Helens’ recent eruption vividly demonstrated the destructive power of these volcanoes.
In the last few decades, the Cascades have seen rising temperatures, increased droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires. A 2020 survey revealed a steady increase in wildfires’ severity and size over the past century, with seven of the largest fires occurring since 2003. The region’s wide range of disasters includes volcanic eruptions, catastrophic earthquakes, mega-wildfires, unbreathable wildfire smoke events, tsunamis, landslides, floods, and deadly heat domes.
During times of extended drought or severe wildfire seasons, an eruption would place additional strain on rescue efforts and recovery agencies. Moreover, recent research suggests that climate change can trigger volcanic eruptions directly. Factors like sea level rise, glacial melting, aquifer depletion, and mountain erosion can influence the frequency and likelihood of volcanic activity. Scientists have observed a connection between the retreat of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet in western North America and increased volcanic activity during periods of rapid climate warming. A similar pattern was observed in Iceland’s volcanic systems, where eruptions became up to 100 times more frequent after the disappearance of the island’s ice cap.
Additionally, rising sea levels could displace an estimated 267 million people worldwide, forcing them to settle in areas at higher risk of volcanic hazards. A study on the island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea found that volcanic activity directly correlated with variations in water levels. This underscores the complex challenges faced by public officials and university faculty training future volcano scientists. Rather than focusing solely on specific aspects of volcanology, such as volcanic gasses, earthquakes, or lava flows, future volcano scientists will need to possess knowledge across a wide range of fields, including social science, public health, and communication.
The study on the future impacts of climate-induced compound disasters on volcano hazard assessment was published in the Bulletin of Volcanology (2023). Interview-based material was provided by Katy Swordfisk on behalf of Portland State University.
Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
