Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Experts on high alert as multiple volcanoes in 'Pacific Ring of Fire' suddenly come to life


Experts on high alert as multiple volcanoes in 'Pacific Ring of Fire' suddenly come to life
 OSHEEN YADAV 


Several volcanoes in the 'Pacific Ring of Fire' have shown increased activity recently, prompting close monitoring by experts for potential eruptions.

Also called the Circum-Pacific Belt, it is a 25,000-mile chain of volcanoes and earthquake zones from South America to Alaska, across Japan, and down to New Zealand.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) has found four volcanoes, all in the US, which are rumbling, including the Great Sitkin Volcano in Alaska that has been steadily erupting lava into its summit crater for nearly four years.

Recent satellite imagery confirms the eruption remains slow and non-explosive, with lava continuing to flow southwest.

In Hawaii, Kilauea has paused its lava fountains but continues to build pressure. 

Scientists anticipate a new eruptive phase between July 17 and 20. Although lava fountains have ceased, sulfur dioxide emissions remain elevated, measured between 1,200 and 1,500 tons per day, indicating ongoing volcanic activity.

Mount Rainier in Washington experienced its largest recorded earthquake swarm in early July, with 334 quakes detected over two days starting July 8, raising vigilance among volcanologists.

Offshore Oregon, the underwater Axial Seamount is under close observation, with researchers forecasting an eruption possibly occurring in 2025.

According to the scientists, these volcanoes are unpredictable as they are a result of natural movement in the Earth's crust, especially along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

That is because this area is where the Pacific tectonic plate sinks under neighboring plates, creating quakes and eruptions. 

Mount Spurr, roughly 80 miles west of Anchorage, had its last explosive eruption in 1992, sending ash clouds 40,000 feet into the sky.

The recent shallow earthquake swarms echo early warning signs from that event, though experts say there is no magma movement yet.

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