Underneath Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano

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In summary, a recent study has confirmed that Hawaii's eruptions are caused by two small reservoirs of magma located just under Kilauea volcano's peak. These reservoirs have been identified through analysis of lead isotopes in the lava rock. The results also suggest that Kilauea taps into a deeper source of magma, as the shallow chambers are too small to account for all of the lava that has erupted since 1983. This discovery adds a new technique to the toolkit of igneous petrologists and highlights the importance of combining geophysical and geochemical data in understanding volcanic activity.
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Astronuc
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Hawaii's big, booming eruptions are born from just under Kilauea volcano's peak, a new study confirms.

Two small reservoirs of molten rock (magma) feed Kilauea's recent eruptions, according to analysis of chemical tracers from the last 50 years of lava flows. The results suggest that Kilauea volcano also taps a deeper source, because the shallower magma chambers are too tiny to account for all of the lava that has streamed across the island's surface since 1983.
http://news.yahoo.com/double-trouble-found-under-hawaiis-kilauea-volcano-200943176.html

Pietruszka and his co-authors located the underground magma chambers by analyzing lead isotopes in Kilauea's lava rock. The isotopes, which are atoms of lead with different numbers of neutrons, trace the lava's history as it traveled underground before erupting. "Lead isotope ratios are like fingerprints imprinted on the magma before it enters the shallow plumbing system," Pietruszka said. "When you start building up many analyses, you can see patterns in the lead isotope ratios."

Kilauea is a single volcano with two very distinct lead isotope ratios in its summit lavas, . . .
It would be interesting to review the isotopics of other volcanos, which I'm sure has been done.
 
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Might be interesting to look at ratios NW along the chain, as a check of time dependence of "hot-spot" composition.
 
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Astronuc said:
It would be interesting to review the isotopics of other volcanos, which I'm sure has been done.
As the researchers describe the precision of this analysis as being new, it seems unlikely that comparable work has yet been done. One could reasonably expect that this will be a technique that is added to the toolkit of igneous petrologists. What is interesting to me is that it required the geophysical and the geochemical data to zero in on the probable 'truth'. Either alone would have left multiple plausible solutions.
 

1. What is the cause of the ongoing eruption at Kilauea Volcano?

The ongoing eruption at Kilauea Volcano is caused by a combination of factors, including the movement of magma from the Earth's mantle to the surface and the structural weakness of the volcano's summit and rift zones.

2. Is the eruption at Kilauea Volcano dangerous for nearby residents?

Yes, the eruption at Kilauea Volcano poses a danger to nearby residents due to the release of toxic gases, the possibility of lava flows and explosive eruptions, and the risk of earthquakes and landslides.

3. How long has the Kilauea Volcano been erupting?

The Kilauea Volcano has been erupting continuously since 1983, making it one of the longest-lasting eruptions in recorded history.

4. What is the current status of the eruption at Kilauea Volcano?

The eruption at Kilauea Volcano is currently ongoing, with lava flows and explosive eruptions occurring in the summit and rift zones. The eruption has caused significant damage to nearby communities and has forced thousands of residents to evacuate.

5. Are there any signs that the eruption at Kilauea Volcano will end soon?

There are no clear signs that the eruption at Kilauea Volcano will end soon. However, volcanic activity is unpredictable, and it is difficult for scientists to accurately predict when an eruption will end. Monitoring and studying the volcano's behavior can provide valuable insights, but it is impossible to make definitive predictions.

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