Status: 24.11.2023, 13:34 PM
By: Julia Stanton
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There have already been numerous volcanic eruptions around the world this year. According to experts, this is not a cause for concern, but they are calling for change.
Frankfurt – Fears of volcanic eruptions are growing worldwide: In Iceland, the Grindavik region recently had to be evacuated due to an underground magma tunnel. Italy has been shaken by severe earthquakes in the region around the Phlegraean Fields near Naples for days, increasing the likelihood of a volcanic eruption.
However, these are not the only volcanoes that cause concern. According to the Smithsonian Institute's Global Volcanism Program, 2023 volcanoes have already erupted in 66 alone (as of November 23, 2023). These include the Puracé volcano in Colombia or the Aira caldera in Japan. 46 volcanoes, such as Mount Etna, are in a state of continuous eruption.
Not only Mount Etna in Italy: 2023 volcanic eruptions in 66 - volcano in the Eifel is also considered active
In total, there are between 1300 and 1900 active volcanoes on Earth. This is because a volcano is usually only classified as extinct if it has not erupted for more than 10,000 years.
It may be necessary to set an even longer period of time, as this classification is scientifically controversial. As the website Laenderdaten.info explains, there are numerous volcanoes that continue to show underground activity after this time and could erupt again. For example, the volcano in the Eifel at Lake Laach, which has been dormant for almost 13,000 years.
To avoid dangers: Volcanoes need to be better researched
Of the volcanoes currently classified as active, 82 are located in Europe and 32 in Iceland, where volcanic eruptions regularly affect daily life. However, most active volcanoes are located in the USA, Japan, Indonesia, Russia and Chile.
Around 50 to 70 volcanoes erupt every year. (Symbolic image) © imago/imagebroker
However, there are still major deficits in volcano research. As recently as 2022, researchers complained that there could be some dangerous volcanoes of which nothing was known so far. This is because they are located in regions that have been neglected by science, it was said.
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In addition, less than a third of the volcanic eruptions since 1950 have used seismometers to record ground vibrations, and only a third of this data has been included in a global database. At the same time, it was also pointed out that the eruption of a supervolcano represents an increasingly realistic danger.
Expert gives all-clear: 50 to 70 volcanic eruptions per year normal
Despite this increasing danger, the Global Volcanism Program pointed out that there was no evidence of an increase in volcanic activity on Earth. The Smithsonian Institute has been collecting eruption data since 1968.
According to the experts, it is not unusual for about 50 to 70 volcanoes to erupt every year. In 2022, for example, as many as 80 volcanic eruptions were recorded.
On Platform X (formerly Twitter), volcanologist and journalist Dr. Robin George Andrews explained that volcanoes are erupting all the time and all over the world. Even though volcanic eruptions can have serious consequences, he says it would be more worrying if volcanoes did not erupt. (jus)