Earth and Planetary Sciences · Geophysics
Researchers studying Vulcano Island’s ongoing unrest identified a porous rock layer about 615–655 metres below La Fossa Caldera that could collect hydrothermal fluids. Less porous lava around it may act as a seal, allowing pressure to build and gases to escape through fractures without shallow magma entering the system.
Crystals from Kīlauea’s explosive eruption around 900 C.E. suggest its magma may have been stored for years without a last-minute injection of new magma. The result indicates that such mixing may not be necessary for an explosive eruption at the volcano.
Iron-rich regions at the boundary between Earth’s core and mantle may store heavy iron isotopes and carry them upward in rising mantle plumes. The proposed deep source could help explain why ocean-island basalts have heavier and more variable iron isotope compositions than mid-ocean ridge basalts.
