Plants and Trees are an Early Warning System for Volcanic Eruptions
2025-01-23 | Volume 3 Issue 1 - Volume 3 | News |Volcanoes are powerful and most of their activities that occur before an eruption occur below the surface. Volcanic gases, such as carbon dioxide, are often released as magma pushes upward, so They can be difficult to detect. Researchers have been looking for additional ways to detect signs of unrest before an eruption occurs, especially for volcanoes far from populated areas. Now they are turning to plant life for clues and signs that a volcano is about to erupt. The research is revealing how plants respond to changes in the ground beneath them, which could indicate rising magma and increased risk of volcanic activity or an impending eruption. Plants adjust the way they grow when their environment changes. This includes changes in photosynthesis and leaf structure patterns. Changes in carbon dioxide, sulfur and soil temperature can also affect how trees thrive, and these factors are often seen in volcanic environments. Studies in volcanic regions suggest that small bursts of carbon dioxide and hot fluids can initially fertilize native plants. But higher concentrations of harmful gases or superheated soil can stress them out and even kill them. Small changes in vegetation can be difficult to see with the naked eye. Forests are vast, and weather can alter growth in ways that have nothing to do with volcanoes. That’s why satellite imaging has become so popular. It can scan large areas and detect subtle hints of stress or unusual greening that might not be apparent on the ground. And it provides broad coverage without requiring a permanent presence in difficult locations. These findings illustrate how forests can provide valuable clues to scientists.
(ISSN - Online)
2959-8591