Seismology, physical models and rock composition was combined. Thus the causes of the activity of the Uturuncu volcano were known. The danger of the Bolivian zombie volcano brought a capital alert.
The findings are in PNAS magazine. In the depths of the central Andes is the Uturuncu. It is the ‘zombie’ volcano of Bolivia. It is called that because, despite being technically inactive (its last eruption was 250,000 years ago), it still shows signs of activity. Includes earthquakes and gas columns. This activity is manifested in a “hat” deformation pattern. The land in the center of the volcanic system rises and the surrounding areas sink.
Volcanic risks
For the local population, it is vital importance to evaluate the possible start and severity of an eruption of the Uturuncu. It could be a threat to life. This study used signals detected of more than 1,700 earthquakes to obtain high resolution images of the volcanic pipe system.
It was confirmed that the activity is due to the movement of liquid and gas under the crater. There is a low probability of an imminent eruption. Volcanic pipe systems are a complex mixture of fluids and gases in magmatic deposits and hydrothermal systems. The volcano is on the world’s largest magma body in the earth’s crust. It is the Altiplano-Puna volcanic complex. An active hydrothermal system connects this body with the surface.
The analysis showed how fluids and gases accumulate in deposits under the volcano crater. It is the most likely cause of deformation in the center of the volcanic system. They declared in a statement: «The combination of geophysical and geological methods can be used to better understand volcanoes. And the dangers and potential resources they present ».
Other volcanoes
«Understanding the anatomy of the Uturuncu volcanic system was only possible thanks to the experience of the research team. We had advanced geophysical image tools and the modeling of rock properties and their fluid interactions ».
The methods of this article could be applied to more than 1,400 potentially active volcanoes. And many dozen volcanoes such as Uturuncu who are not considered assets, but show signs of life. Other possible zombie volcanoes ». The danger of the Bolivian zombie volcano dissipates for now. But the guard should not be lowered.
