A group of Taiwanese geologists is trying to understand the volcanoes in Taipei’s back yard. They’re zeroing in on an underground magma deposit. What they learn could help them detect an eruption before it happens.
Northern Taiwan is home to a number of volcanoes. Not active ones, we’re told, they’ve long been dormant. But just last year, geologists were able to get a better idea of the underground volcanic structures. They say the next step is to study the volcanoes’ magma chambers.
Geologist Lin Cheng-horng says that monitoring the magma’s pressure and movements will help determine if and when an eruption could occur.
Experts spent four years upgrading Taiwan’s volcano detection system. The information that it’s generated is helping geologists learn more about the magma deposits.
Geologists say the magma chamber is about 8km in diameter and 12km deep. It’s smaller than they originally thought, but it’s closer to the surface.
When it comes to volcanoes, the sooner we know when she’s going to blow, the sooner we’ll know when we have to go!