Researchers Monitor Rising Magma Beneath Mount Rainier
Researchers Monitor Rising Magma Beneath Mount Rainier

Researchers Monitor Rising Magma Beneath Mount Rainier

Scientists from the University of Utah have developed an image of deep volcanic plumbing, as well as partly molten rock of Mount Rainer, which is expected to erupt again someday.

The image was developed after measuring the Earth’s power to conduct electricity and seismic waves, according to a press release issued by the University of Utah.

This study used seismic imaging and magnetotelluric measurements to show how the rocks and liquids affect electrical and magnetic fields. According to Wannamaker, this is the most detailed image yet of a volcanic system in the Cascade Range.

This image “captures the melting process that feeds magma into a crustal reservoir that eventually is tapped for eruptions,” Wannamaker said in a news release. “But it does not provide any information on the timing of future eruptions from Mount Rainier or other Cascade Range volcanoes.”

The magma reservoir lies five miles underneath Rainier and, according to Wanamaker, appears to be five to 10 miles thick and five to 10 miles wide from east to west. The north-to-south dimensions can’t be determined because the researchers took only a sliced view of the system.

The image also shows that part of the reservoir extends up to 10 miles northwest of Mount Rainier. Wannamaker said this could be a lobe extending from Rainier’s main reservoir.

The new image doesn’t detail the ways in which the magma reservoir is connected to Mount Rainier, but instead shows that molten rock and water are introduced as the oceanic tectonic plate dives underneath the continental plate.

Rainier got a lot of attention from researchers but it isn’t the only Washington mountain to get this type of attention.

Geophysicists from the University of Washington, Rice University and more will be conducting a combined ultrasound and CAT scan of Mount St. Helens’ internal systems next week.

The goal of this research is to help improve early warning systems at volcanoes like Mount St. Helens.

Agencies/Canadajournal




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    4 comments

    1. Marietta Alexander

      Prophets, men and women of God are seeing visions, and dreams of things to come. Massive destruction is coming to this country and the world. God is coming to judge the earth with massive earthquakes (9-10), tsunamis, nuclear attacks by our enemies, asteroid/meteor strikes. Due to all these cataclysms; there will be shortages of clean water for drinking and daily use, shortages of food, medical supplies, etc. ( store these things now to prepare- store clean drinking water and non perishable food. ) The volcanoes will also erupt with the shaking of the ground. Unimaginable destruction on a scale no one could predict is just ahead. Most important, prepare yourself to die; Do you know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? Repent and turn to Him for Salvation. Be sure you are right with God and He will help you in these calamities. Prepare now, get ready!

    2. “It’s very difficult to determine how big an eruption will be, so this is a first step in being able to do that,” said University of Washington seismologist Ken Creager, who is helping to coordinate the project.

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