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Data Processing Methods for 3D Seismic Imaging of Subsurface Volcanoes: Applications to the Tarim Flood Basalt
Published on: August 7, 2017
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Volcanoes stunt nearby glaciers
Tryggvi Unnsteinsson1, Matteo Spagnolo2, Brice R Rea3
1School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. t.unnsteinsson.23@abdn.ac.uk.
Nature Communications
|August 29, 2025
Summary
Volcanic activity negatively impacts nearby glacier mass balance, confining glaciers to higher elevations. This effect is most pronounced within 5 km of volcanoes, crucial for hazard monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Glaciology
- Volcanology
- Earth Science
Background:
- Glacierised volcanoes present significant societal hazards.
- Monitoring volcanic activity is challenging due to glacier cover and remoteness.
- Traditional geophysical and geochemical methods are often hindered in these environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the global impact of 307 active volcanoes on glacier mass balance within a 40 km radius.
- To quantify the influence of volcanic activity on glacier elevation and mass balance.
- To establish a baseline for future monitoring of volcanic-glacial interactions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of relative median elevations for 40,667 glaciers worldwide.
- Comparison of glacier elevations near active volcanoes versus those further away.
- Assessment of volcanic influence within a 40 km radius, with a focus on the 5 km footprint.
Main Results:
- Glaciers near volcanoes are progressively confined to higher elevations.
- Volcanic processes demonstrate a negative impact on nearby glacier mass balance.
- The primary influence of volcanic activity on glacier mass balance is within a 5 km radius.
Conclusions:
- Volcanic activity significantly affects glacier mass balance globally.
- The findings provide a critical baseline for monitoring volcanic impacts on glaciers.
- Understanding these interactions is essential for hazard assessment and mitigation strategies.
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