A colossal magma system has been hiding beneath Tuscany
A massive magma reservoir has been detected deep beneath Tuscany, despite showing no obvious signs at the surface. Scientists mapped the roughly 6,000-cubic-kilometer body using natural ground vibrations recorded by dozens of seismic sensors. It poses no immediate danger, but the discovery reveals how enormous volcanic systems can remain hidden and could transform the search for geothermal energy…
Scientists have uncovered an immense body of magma lurking beneath Tuscany, despite the region showing few surface indicators typically linked to such geological features. Utilizing a seismic imaging technique known as ambient noise tomography, researchers identified around 6,000 cubic kilometers of volcanic fluids situated between 8 and 15 kilometers beneath the surface (equivalent to the volume of 2.4 billion standard Olympic swimming pools).
The international team comprised experts from the University of Geneva, the Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, and the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. Their findings, published in Communications Earth & Environment, may also aid in locating geothermal reservoirs, lithium deposits, and rare earth elements associated with deep magmatic activity.
While some of the world's most renowned volcanic regions, such as Yellowstone National Park and Lake Toba, sit atop magma reservoirs containing thousands of cubic kilometers of molten material, these signs are often absent in Tuscany. Consequently, the massive magma system remained undetected. Tuscany's geothermal activity is well-known, but the extent of the underground magma reservoir was previously unknown.
Associate Professor Matteo Lupi, who led the study at the University of Geneva, noted the significance of the discovery. Ambient noise tomography, a method commonly employed by seismologists to examine underground structures, was instrumental in the discovery. By analyzing subtle vibrations produced by natural sources like ocean waves and wind, researchers identified areas where seismic waves traveled slower, indicating the presence of molten material.
This technique allowed the team to create a three-dimensional map of the underground structures. Beyond its implications for understanding Tuscany's geology, the discovery highlights the potential of ambient noise tomography as a cost-effective method for locating geothermal energy resources and critical mineral deposits, which are increasingly important for technologies like electric vehicle batteries.
Written by urgent.news from ScienceDaily's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
