Giant "magma chambers" found beneath dormant volcanoes: this discovery changes everything.

There has long been a belief that active volcanoes possess large magma bodies that are expelled during eruptions and then dissipate over time as the volcanoes cool and become dormant. In a new study, scientists have uncovered findings that challenge this theory, as reported by PHYS.org.

The research was conducted by a team from New Cornell University. During their analysis, the team utilized seismic waves to identify magma chambers beneath the surface of six volcanoes of various sizes, as well as dormant volcanoes in the Cascade Range. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, this range includes half of the volcanoes in the U.S. that have been classified as "very high threat." The group discovered that all volcanoes, including dormant ones, contain stable and substantial magma bodies.

According to the co-authors of the study, postdoctoral researcher Guanning Pang and professor of geological sciences Jeffrey Abers, the results of their work were quite surprising. The findings indicate that regardless of the frequency of eruptions, scientists observed large magma bodies beneath many volcanoes, even if they had not been active for thousands of years.

Now, scientists believe that it may be necessary to reconsider the established theory. The results of the new analysis suggest that magma bodies beneath volcanoes likely exist throughout their lifespan, not just during active phases.

The fact that more volcanoes maintain magma bodies is a crucial factor in how researchers can track and predict future volcanic activity. Scientists believe that the new data will enable the expansion and modernization of volcanic monitoring networks in the Canadian range and beyond. Researchers are already developing plans to enhance the magma monitoring system and to test whether the findings from the Cascades are applicable to other locations, including volcanoes in Alaska.

According to Pang, scientists previously thought that a large amount of magma beneath a volcano increased the likelihood of an eruption. Now, the new data indicate that this is not entirely accurate as previously believed.

The results show that an eruption does not completely empty the magma chamber; instead, it releases some excess volume and pressure. The chamber can slowly expand and refill over time due to gradual melting of the crust.