Glacier Melt May Trigger Surge in Volcanic Eruptions

New research presented at the Goldschmidt Conference in Prague warns that climate change-driven glacier melt could trigger a global surge in explosive volcanic eruptions, especially in regions with volcanoes buried beneath thick ice such as Antarctica, Chile, Alaska, Russia, North America, and New Zealand. Scientists report that melting glaciers reduce pressure on underground magma chambers, increasing the likelihood and intensity of eruptions—a phenomenon previously documented in Iceland. Analysis of six Chilean volcanoes revealed that thick ice during the last ice age suppressed eruptions, but rapid melting led to a marked increase in both frequency and explosiveness. The study notes that at least 245 active volcanoes are located under or near glaciers worldwide. Researchers caution that volcanic eruptions could accelerate climate change by releasing greenhouse gases, creating a dangerous feedback loop that increases glacier melt. The greatest risks are believed to exist beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, home to over 100 volcanoes, highlighting an escalating threat as the climate crisis deepens.