Relationship between Subglacial Volcanism and Climate

In summary, evidence suggests that there are numerous subglacial volcanoes all over the world, but little is known about their potential impact on global climate. While it is still mostly speculation, it is possible that past supervolcanoes or the location of asteroids could be hiding under glacial ice. However, the effects of subglacial eruptions on the region and climate are still largely unknown.
  • #1
Jarvis323
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I have been thinking about the possibility of subglacial volcanism having a potential large impact on glacial ice mass, melting and climate in the past. Since there are volcanos all over the world, I thought there likely are plenty of subglacial volcanoes as well, but I find it hard to find much information on the topic, although I've read these recent publication,

Evidence of an active volcanic heat source beneath the Pine Island Glacier
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04421-3,

A new volcanic province: an inventory of subglacial volcanoes in West Antarctica
http://sp.lyellcollection.org/content/461/1/231.abstract

which present evidence of active volcanism under West Antarctica.

One of the authors of the second paper, Robert Bingham said,
“Theory suggests that this is occurring because, without ice sheets on top of them, there is a release of pressure on the regions’ volcanoes and they become more active.”

Finally, my questions are: How much do we actually know about the volcanic history of Earths north and south poles? It seem that we have a lot of theories about how volcanism, asteroids, comets, and other factors have impacted global climate over geologic time scales, but how reliable are they? Is it possible that past super volcano or location of an asteroid impact is hiding under glacial ice for example? And, to what extent do we expect it to be possible for subglacial volcanism to affect current ice melt in the best to worse cases?
 
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  • #2
Yes to major features that have been hidden by ice:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/pleistocene-meteor-crater-on-greenland.960080/
Very large crater that resulted from an impact, possibly the cause of the Younger Dryas cooling (climate change) circa 15000ya.

New ice penetrating radar has been brought to bear on Greenland, Antarctica re: the problem of hidden volcanic features and craters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioglaciology

Answering your question as things stand now, would be mostly speculation on my part. PF is not the best place for that. We are very good for dealing with science as presented in academic journals and textbooks.

As a generalized statement -
The 'how much do we know' questions are really hard. As an unrelated example: There are thousands of research articles on Alzheimer's disease. Some researchers view this as 'we are making good progress' others view it as 'we need to learn a lot more'. Both are valid points of view.

www.phys.org has lots of correctly popularized science reports and links to original research. Consider some reading there.

https://phys.org/news/2019-01-huge-cavity-antarctic-glacier-rapid.html Something just found with new ice radar technology - really enormous hollow in the the Thwaite Glacier in Antarctica
 
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  • #3
For the effects of sub-glacial eruptions on the region and the climate, Iceland is probably a good place to start.

May I suggest you browse some of the articles at...
https://www.volcanocafe.org/

IMHO, their NDVP list of top-10 (In their opinion) most dangerous volcanoes is also worth careful consideration...
 
  • #4
Jarvis323 said:
Finally, my questions are: How much do we actually know about the volcanic history of Earths north and south poles? It seem that we have a lot of theories about how volcanism, asteroids, comets, and other factors have impacted global climate over geologic time scales, but how reliable are they? Is it possible that past super volcano or location of an asteroid impact is hiding under glacial ice for example? And, to what extent do we expect it to be possible for subglacial volcanism to affect current ice melt in the best to worse cases?

The reverse, glacial melt triggering subglacial volcanism, could be true as well:
https://www.researchgate.net/project/GMPV514-CL433-CR510-NH26-Arctic-Antarctic-and-other-glaciated-terranes-volcanism-magmatic-tectonic-geomorphic-and-climatic-implications-co-organized
https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2018/EGU2018-913-1.pdf
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsta.2010.0063
 

1. What is the relationship between subglacial volcanism and climate?

The relationship between subglacial volcanism and climate is complex and multifaceted. Subglacial volcanism can have both short-term and long-term impacts on climate, depending on the size and frequency of eruptions. In the short-term, volcanic eruptions can release large amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere, which can block sunlight and cause cooling. In the long-term, volcanic activity can release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which can contribute to warming of the Earth's climate.

2. How does subglacial volcanism affect ice sheets and glaciers?

Subglacial volcanism can have a significant impact on ice sheets and glaciers. When a volcano erupts under an ice sheet or glacier, the intense heat can melt large amounts of ice, leading to increased water flow and potential ice sheet collapse. Additionally, volcanic ash and gases can accumulate on the surface of ice sheets, causing them to absorb more sunlight and melt faster. This can contribute to sea level rise and changes in global ocean circulation patterns.

3. Can subglacial volcanism trigger or enhance periods of global warming?

There is evidence to suggest that subglacial volcanism can trigger or enhance periods of global warming. When large amounts of volcanic gases are released into the atmosphere, they can contribute to the greenhouse effect and cause an increase in global temperatures. Additionally, the melting of ice sheets and glaciers due to subglacial volcanism can also contribute to sea level rise and changes in ocean circulation patterns, which can have widespread impacts on global climate.

4. How do scientists study the relationship between subglacial volcanism and climate?

Scientists study the relationship between subglacial volcanism and climate through a variety of methods, including analyzing ice core samples, studying volcanic deposits in ice sheets and glaciers, and using satellite imagery to monitor changes in ice sheets and glaciers. They also use climate models to simulate the potential impacts of subglacial volcanism on global climate and to better understand the complex interactions between volcanic activity and the Earth's climate system.

5. Are there any potential benefits of subglacial volcanism for the environment?

While subglacial volcanism can have negative impacts on the environment, there are also potential benefits. The heat from subglacial volcanoes can create unique environments for microbial life to thrive, and these microbes can play important roles in nutrient cycling and carbon storage. Additionally, the nutrients released by volcanic eruptions can fertilize surrounding ecosystems and support plant growth. However, these potential benefits must be balanced against the potential hazards and impacts of subglacial volcanism on the environment.

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