New findings on the eruption history of the West Eifel maar volcanoes

Scientists have discovered that the West Eifel maar volcanoes experienced multiple, short-lived eruptions around 25,000 years ago. Prior to this study, little was known about the timing of these volcanic events. Researchers from Heidelberg University, Curtin University in Perth, Australia, and the University of Göttingen used a novel dating method to analyze zircon crystals from crustal xenoliths, rock fragments carried by rising magma to the surface during an eruption.

This technique, which measures the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium within the zircon to determine the time of cooling, allowed the team to establish a consistent age model for several of the most well-known maars in the West Eifel. The findings reveal that the West Eifel volcanic field was active in several short pulses, with eruptions occurring approximately 75,000, 48,000, and 25,000 years ago.

The most recent and intense eruption phase coincided with a drop in sea level in the North Sea basin during the last ice age, forming volcanic lakes such as the Dauner Maare and Pulvermaar. This discovery challenges previous assumptions that volcanic activity is tied to climate warming during interglacial periods and suggests that continental volcanic fields can become active in short, intense bursts.

The researchers' findings have implications for volcanic hazard assessments, as many continental volcanic fields are densely populated or developed for tourism.