Dormant Bolivian 'Zombie' Volcano Shows Signs of Life, Study Reveals

Recent research has unveiled intriguing seismic activity beneath the dormant Uturuncu volcano in Bolivia, suggesting that despite its 250,000-year slumber, it continues to show signs of unrest. An international team comprising researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, the University of Oxford, and Cornell University utilized seismic data from over 1,700 earthquakes to create high-resolution images of the volcano's internal structure. The study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicates that liquid and gas migration under Uturuncu is responsible for the volcano's activity, rather than new magma buildup, thus suggesting a low risk of imminent eruption. The research findings are particularly significant as they reveal a 'sombrero' shaped ground deformation, where the center of the volcano is rising while the surrounding area sinks. This deformation was a direct outcome of heated fluids and gases migrating upward through a chimney-like channel from the Altiplano-Puna Magma Body, which sits beneath the region. Although residents in the surrounding area may have felt anxious due to the signs of volcanic activity, this study provides critical reassurance, indicating that the volcano’s eruption potential is minimal. Moreover, the methods utilized in this research hold broader implications for monitoring other seemingly inactive volcanoes worldwide. Professor Matthew Pritchard, a co-author of the study, emphasized that these techniques could apply to over 1,400 potentially active volcanoes, paving the way for comprehensive evaluations of their sleeping giants. The study not only sheds light on potential eruption hazards but could also provide insights into valuable mineral deposits that may be located under such dormant volcanoes. In conclusion, while the 'zombie' volcano remains a subject of study, the findings underscore the importance of ongoing volcanic monitoring and research efforts. The advancements in imaging and understanding volcanic systems are essential not only for predicting eruptions but for grasping the geological processes that underpin volcanic activity across the globe. Scientists continue to advocate for vigilance despite the relatively low eruption risk, as some neighboring volcanoes may still pose threats in the future. As urban development encroaches on these environments, understanding their behavior becomes ever more crucial.