According to new research, an underground ‘conveyor belt’ of magma pushed over the Earth’s surface for millions of years was responsible for the longest eruption of supervolcans found on Earth, according to new research.
Researchers say that due to changes in the seabed, channels were formed through which magma could flow freely. This resulted in a wider period of eruptions from about 122 million years ago to 90 million years ago; Exceptional, considering that this type of flow usually lasted only 1-5 million years.
All this happened on the Carreglan Plateau, which now sits at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. It is what is known as the large elusive province or LIP, the extensive accumulation of magma and lava. Scientists can use this LIP to detect volcanic activity from time to time.
Kiang Jiang, a geologist at Curtin University in Australia, says: “Large deposits of volcanic rocks – known as large volcanic regions – are too much for scientists because of their relationship with extinction, rapid climate disruption and the formation of ore deposits. . “
Jiang and his colleagues used samples of black basaltic rocks from the ocean floor, as well as the argon isotope dating method, to determine the spread and increase of LIP, as it is known as the mangal plum, on which the growing magma is formed.
During 30 years or more of intense activity, the cargulane plate te grew by about 20 centimeters (7.87 inches) in one year, the researchers say. Around the huge size of the LIP – three times the size of Japan – outpouring equals the lava filling 184,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools each year.
The Carreglan Plateau saw such long and steady activity of supervolcans due to its unique configuration, the study suggests: the manta plumme connects the magma to the slowly spreading mid-ocean belt as it turns upwards.
Says geologist Hugo, “The volcano lasted so long because the magmas created by the mantle plume flowed continuously through the Mediterranean belt, which acted as a continuous channel, or ‘magma conveyor belt’ for more than 30 million years.” Was Oliver, from Curtin University.
“Other volcanoes will stop erupting, because, as the temperature cools, the channels become clogged with ‘frozen’ magmas. For the Kereglen plateau, the mantle plum acts as a Bunson burner, allowing the mantle to melt, as a result of this phenomenal Long-term resulting explosive activity. “
It has been a volcanic eruption activity for millions of years, but this rate dropped significantly about 90 million years ago, and scientists still can’t figure out why. The associated volcanic activity is still ongoing on a much smaller scale.
It is an interesting look at the past history of our planet, and of course it informs our study of volcanic activity even in the present time – the more we know about how such systems can form and remain active, the better we will understand Earth now. Interactions under the surface.
“Finding this long, continuous eruption activity is important because it helps us understand what factors can control the beginning and end of volcanic activity,” says Fred Jordan, a geologist at Curtin University.
“This has implications for how we understand magnetism on Earth and on other planets.”
Research has been published in Geology.
.
