- Scientists identified about 6,000 cubic kilometres of magma beneath Tuscany.
- The reservoir lies between 8 kilometres and 15 kilometres below the surface.
- Researchers used ambient noise tomography with 60 seismic sensors.
- The magma system shows no major surface signs of activity.
- The viscous nature of the magma makes explosive eruptions less likely.
Scientists have discovered a vast reservoir of magma beneath Tuscany. Researchers identified approximately 6,000 cubic kilometres of magma at depths between 8 kilometres and 15 kilometres. The volume compares to systems beneath supervolcanoes such as Yellowstone.
The team from the University of Geneva, Italy’s Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources and the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology employed ambient noise tomography. They deployed around 60 high-resolution seismic sensors across the region and analysed natural vibrations from ocean waves, wind and human activity. Slow travel of vibrations through certain zones indicated the presence of molten material.
The magma sits in a core of predominantly liquid melt surrounded by a larger shell of crystal-rich partially molten rock. The last eruption in the area from Mount Amiata took place around 300,000 years ago. Researchers noted the highly viscous nature of the magmas reduced the likelihood of explosive eruptions.
Matteo Lupi shared “We knew that this region, which extends from north to south across Tuscany, is geothermally active, but we did not realise it contained such a large volume of magma, comparable to that of supervolcanic systems such as Yellowstone.”
