Scientists have discovered that a volcano in Greece, believed to have been inactive for more than 100,000 years, may not have been truly extinct after all.
The study focused on Methana, a volcano located near Athens. Although the volcano appeared silent for a very long time, researchers found evidence that volcanic activity was still continuing deep underground.
Scientists made this discovery by studying tiny crystals called zircon, which form inside underground magma chambers. These crystals can preserve important information about volcanic history over hundreds of thousands of years.
By analyzing rock samples from Methana, researchers created a detailed timeline covering around 700,000 years of the volcano’s activity.
The findings revealed that even during long periods without eruptions, magma continued to develop beneath the surface. This suggests that some volcanoes considered extinct or dormant may still have hidden underground activity.
Traditionally, smaller volcanoes are often labeled extinct if they have not erupted for at least 10,000 years. However, this research challenges that assumption by showing that long quiet periods do not always mean a volcano is completely inactive.
Researchers believe that water trapped within the magma may have played a role in delaying eruptions. Deep underground pressure keeps water dissolved in the magma, but as magma rises closer to the surface, pressure decreases, causing water to form bubbles. This process may slow or temporarily pause eruptions.
The study highlights that volcanoes can remain active beneath the surface even when they appear dormant, offering important new insights into volcanic behavior and future eruption risks.