Italian supervolcano’s awakening threatens global catastrophe, yet new research suggests its impact may be less severe than previously feared.
At a Glance
- The Phlegraean Fields, one of the world’s largest supervolcanoes, is showing increased activity
- Located near Naples, it’s among the top eight emitters of volcanic carbon dioxide globally
- New NASA study suggests super-eruptions may cause less cooling than previously thought
- Researchers call for more studies on volcanic aerosol particle sizes and their climate impact
Supervolcano Stirring: The Phlegraean Fields’ Ominous Activity
The Phlegraean Fields, a massive supervolcano located west of Naples, Italy, is exhibiting signs of increased activity, raising concerns among scientists and locals alike. As one of the world’s largest supervolcanoes, its potential eruption could have far-reaching consequences. Since 2005, the Solfatara crater within the Phlegraean Fields has been releasing escalating volumes of gas, signaling potential changes beneath the Earth’s surface.
After 2020 and four years of Joe Biden, let’s hope our shot at rebuilding America isn’t stopped by a super volcano!
Gianmarco Buono, a volcanologist studying the surge in gas emissions, emphasizes the importance of understanding the source of these emissions. The Solfatara crater alone emits a staggering 4,000 to 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide daily, equivalent to burning half a million gallons of gasoline. This massive output places the Phlegraean Fields among the top eight emitters of volcanic carbon dioxide globally.
“Estimating the source of the carbon dioxide is important to properly reconstruct what is happening in the magmatic system and the hydrothermal system,” Gianmarco Buono said.
The potential consequences of a supervolcanic eruption are truly staggering. These massive volcanic systems can produce eruptions thousands of times more powerful than regular volcanoes, ejecting over 1,000 cubic kilometers of material. Such an event could potentially cause catastrophic global climate and environmental effects, disrupting life as we know it.
Rethinking Supervolcano Impact: NASA’s Surprising Findings
While the threat of a supervolcanic eruption looms large, recent research from NASA’s Goddard Institute and Columbia University suggests that the impact might not be as severe as previously thought. The study, focusing on the size of sulfur particles in the atmosphere, indicates that even the most powerful eruptions may not cool global temperatures by more than 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius).
“The relatively modest temperature changes we found most compatible with the evidence could explain why no single super-eruption has produced firm evidence of global-scale catastrophe for humans or ecosystems,” Zachary McGraw, a researcher from NASA GISS and Columbia University, said.
This revelation challenges previous estimates that suggested post-eruption global cooling could range from 3.6 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. The study’s findings explain why no super-eruption in recorded history has caused a global-scale catastrophe for humans or ecosystems. It’s important to note that super-eruptions, which release over 240 cubic miles of magma, are extremely rare, with the last one occurring over 22,000 years ago in New Zealand.
Implications for Climate Science and Geoengineering
The NASA study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of climate science and potential geoengineering strategies. The research focused on the size of sulfur particles in the atmosphere, which play a crucial role in reflecting sunlight or trapping heat, thereby affecting surface temperatures. Smaller, denser particles are more effective at blocking sunlight, but accurately estimating their size has been challenging due to the lack of reliable physical evidence from past super-eruptions.
The study’s simulations suggest that super-eruptions may not alter global temperatures more significantly than modern eruptions, such as Mount Pinatubo in 1991, which caused a mere half-degree drop for two years. These findings call into question the viability of geoengineering strategies that propose injecting aerosols into the stratosphere to combat global warming. The researchers emphasize the need for more studies on volcanic aerosol particle sizes and their impact on climate to refine our understanding and predictive models.
As we grapple with the potential threat of the Phlegraean Fields’ increased activity, it’s crucial to consider the latest scientific insights. While the awakening of this supervolcano is undoubtedly concerning, NASA’s research provides a more nuanced understanding of the potential global impact.
This could be big – but it could also be nothing. For now, anyway.
