Researchers at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography are leading a study to improve predictions of volcanic eruptions. The project focuses on mapping the internal structures of Hawaii’s Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. These volcanoes are among the most active in the world. Their rift zones, which are linear areas of weakness caused by magma pressure, influence eruption patterns and severity.
Zhangbao Cheng, a third-year Ph.D. student, said that understanding subsurface features like cracks, dikes, and weak zones is important. These features, along with tectonic forces, affect how magma moves and where eruptions may occur. Cheng noted that both small-scale and regional geological factors are relevant to this process.
Recent eruptions have caused significant damage. In 2018, Kilauea’s Lower East Rift Zone eruption destroyed over 700 buildings and caused $800 million in damages. Mauna Loa’s 2022 eruption threatened infrastructure, including the Daniel K. Inouye Highway. These events have shown the need for better monitoring and understanding of rift zones…