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Scientists Discover 'Birthplace' of World's Most Active Volcano

© AP Photo / (U.S. Geological SurveyIn this Sunday, June 10, 2018 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey, fissure 8 below Kilauea Volcano continues to erupt vigorously with lava streaming through a channel that reaches the ocean at Kapoho Bay on the island of Hawaii . The width of the active part of the lava channel varies along its length, but ranges from about 100 to 300 meters (yards) wide. A clear view of the cinder-and-spatter cone that's building around the vent from ongoing lava fountains can be seen here.
In this Sunday, June 10, 2018 photo from the U.S. Geological Survey, fissure 8 below Kilauea Volcano continues to erupt vigorously with lava streaming through a channel that reaches the ocean at Kapoho Bay on the island of Hawaii . The width of the active part of the lava channel varies along its length, but ranges from about 100 to 300 meters (yards) wide. A clear view of the cinder-and-spatter cone that's building around the vent from ongoing lava fountains can be seen here. - Sputnik International, 1920, 30.05.2022
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Despite frequent eruptions, volcanologists misinterpreted the seismic data several times, erroneously thinking that the source of the volcano's magma lay close to the surface.
Scientists from Monash University in Australia believe they have finally discovered the true source of the magma that Kilauea, Earth's most active volcano located in Hawaii, has been spewing.
Previously, they considered a shallow chamber located 11 kilometres under the surface to be the source for the frequent eruptions. However, recent studies showed that the magma came from a chamber located as deep as 100 kilometres underground.
This image obtained June 26, 2018 from the US Geological Survey shows the lava entering the sea and releasing multiple laze plumes at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii - Sputnik International, 1920, 21.12.2020
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Kilauea Volcano Erupts in Hawaii - Photos, Videos
The previous evaluation was based on the seismic waves registered back in 2014, but upon studying the composition of the magma, the scientists realised that the volcano's "heart" must lie much deeper. A closer look revealed that it contained fragments of rock and materials that can only be found in layers some 90 kilometres below or lower.
To prove their results, researchers recreated the conditions that magma experiences at such levels: temperatures above 1,100C and pressure around 3 GPa, placing synthetic rocks into the conditions to melt, according to the lead geologist Laura Miller.
In addition to the discovery, scientists detected garnet, a crystal that forms in layers between 100 and 150 kilometres down, in Kilauea’s magma, meaning that its source had to lie very deep underground.
The researchers' discovery also shed light on how the Kilauea volcano came to be. While originally it was believed to have been formed out of a solid rock melted by the emerging lava, now scientists believe it was created following a shift of the Pacific tectonic plate almost 300,000 years ago which led to magma being cast out into the sea and eventually solidifying and creating the volcano on the surface.
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