Greek scientists chart volcanic fury beneath

In 2022, Greek geologists Dimitris Kostopoulos and Panagiotis Pomonis initiated groundbreaking research to refine how volcanic explosivity is assessed.

Collaborating with geologist Smaragda Galiti, the team developed a sophisticated algorithm leveraging chemical analyses of volcanic materials like lava and ash. Unlike traditional methods that rely on eruption size and duration, their approach offers faster and more precise calculations of the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI).

This innovation has applications in monitoring global volcanic activity, including eruptions like Indonesia’s Lewotobi, which recently displaced 16,000 residents. By correlating magma chemistry – such as water and alkali content – with explosivity, the team can predict eruption behavior and issue timely alerts.

The method’s success stems from extensive databases of magma samples, enabling real-time monitoring of volcanic threats. Within Greece’s active volcanic arc, analysis revealed Kos’ VEI surpasses Santorini’s historic Minoan eruption.

As Kostopoulos cautions, understanding precursors remains challenging, underscoring the importance of continued research.

Source: ekathimerini.com