Friday, March 11, 2011

"Sleeping" Volcanoes Can Wake Up Faster Than Thought


The world's "sleeping giants" can wake up much quicker than thought, according to a new volcano model.

Scientists believe the magma chambers—or reservoirs of molten rock—under dormant volcanoes are filled with sticky, viscous mush.

For a volcano to "wake up," this mush needs to be thoroughly heated by fresh, hot magma rising up from the deep Earth.


Erik Pedrosa
National Geographic

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