Two active magma reservoirs may lie beneath Masaya volcano, near 2 million people
Masaya volcano in Nicaragua sits within 13 miles (21 kilometers) of 2 million people and is a popular tourist destination due to its lava lake. Penn State researchers recently found evidence of two new magma sources under the active volcano, highlighting what they called the critical importance of understanding transitions in volcanic behavior and shallow magma processes, especially when they…
Masaya volcano, situated near 2 million Nicaraguans, is a popular tourist spot due to its lava lake. Penn State researchers recently discovered two active magma reservoirs beneath the volcano, emphasizing the importance of understanding volcanic behavior and shallow magma processes to safeguard local communities. Using satellite data, they observed a subsidence period followed by an uplift at Masaya's caldera, which they interpreted as inflation of the main reservoir, possibly due to a new deep magma source.
However, the area surrounding the Santiago crater and lava lake continuously deflated over the six-year study, suggesting a more complex magma plumbing system with a decreasing magma level in a shallower reservoir. Johnson, the lead author, explained that the contrasting patterns of the caldera and crater indicate two active magma reservoirs with distinct dynamics.
No immediate hazards have been identified, but continued monitoring is crucial to assess changes in magma supply and potential volcanic risks.
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