There have been numerous volcanic eruptions around the world this year. According to experts, there is no reason to worry, but they are calling for changes.
Frankfurt – Fear of volcanic eruptions is growing worldwide: In Iceland, the Grindavik region recently had to be evacuated because of an underground magma tunnel. Italy has been shaken for days by severe earthquakes in the region around the Phlegraean Fields near Naples, increasing the likelihood of a volcanic eruption.
However, these are not the only volcanoes of concern. According to that Smithsonian Institute Global Volcanism Program 66 volcanoes have already erupted in 2023 alone (As of November 23, 2023). These include, among others, the Puracé volcano in Colombia and the Aira Caldera in Japan. 46 volcanoes, such as Etna, are in a state of continuous eruption.
Not just Etna in Italy: 66 volcanic eruptions in 2023 – the volcano in the Eifel is also considered active
In total, there are between 1,300 and 1,900 active volcanoes on earth. A volcano is usually only classified as extinct if it has not erupted for more than 10,000 years.
An even longer period may have to be set, as this classification is scientifically controversial. Like the website Laenderdaten.info explains, there are numerous volcanoes that show underground activity even after this time and could erupt again. For example, the volcano in the Eifel at Lake Laacher, which has been dormant for almost 13,000 years.
To avoid dangers: Volcanoes need to be better explored
Of the volcanoes currently classified as active, 82 are in Europe and 32 in Iceland, where volcanic eruptions regularly impact daily life. However, most active volcanoes are located in the USA, Japan, Indonesia, Russia and Chile.
However, there are still major deficits in volcano research. It was not until 2022 that researchers complained that there could be some dangerous volcanoes about which nothing was known yet. Because these are located in regions neglected by science, it was said.
In addition, seismometers have been used to record ground vibrations in less than a third of volcanic eruptions since 1950 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.
Experts give the all-clear: 50 to 70 volcanic eruptions per year are normal
Despite this increasing danger, the Global Volcanism Program pointed out that there is no sign of increasing volcanic activity on Earth. The Smithsonian Institute has been collecting data on eruptions since 1968.
According to the experts, it is not unusual for around 50 to 70 volcanoes to erupt every year. In 2022, for example, 80 volcanic eruptions were recorded.
On Platform X (formerly Twitter), the volcanologist and journalist Dr. Robin George Andrews points out that volcanoes erupt all the time, all over the world. Even though volcanic eruptions can have serious consequences, he says it would be more worrying if volcanoes weren’t erupting. (jus)
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