Investigation of a Chilean Volcano Indicates That Melting of the Ice Sheet Could Release Havoc on Earth

Melting glaciers have become a cause of concern for environmentalists worldwide. Another consequence of this phenomenon has now emerged from Chile, which is associated with the relationship between melting glaciers and the intensity of volcanic eruptions, as reported by Live Science. The link was determined based on an investigation conducted of six volcanoes in southern Chile. Researchers believe the relationship could have a long-lasting impact on the global environment. The relationship was described in detail within a study presented at the 2025 Goldschmidt Conference in Prague in early July. It is yet to be published. 

Increased Activity of Volcanoes

For the study, researchers looked into the activity of Chilean volcanoes during and after the last ice age. The insights implied that the melting of the ice sheet could likely trigger volcanoes to become more active. The lead author of the study, Pablo Moreno Yaeger, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, claims that the overall weight of glaciers suppresses the volume of eruption from the volcanoes beneath them. However, as glaciers retreat, due to climate change, the suppression effect weakens, causing the volcanoes to have more explosive and frequent eruptions. 

To conduct the investigation, the team set up a camp in the high elevations of the Andes in Chile, according to The Guardian. They analyzed both active and dormant volcanoes. For a volcano named "Mocho-Choshuenco," researchers performed radioisotope dating to confirm which rocks were produced before, during, and after the last ice age. Past studies have already confirmed that during the last ice age, the region was covered with a 1,500-metre-thick Patagonian ice sheet. Mineral analysis of the rocks also showcased at what depth and temperature these volcanic rocks were formed. 

Different volcanic rocks from distinct timelines shed light on the nature of volcanic eruptions in the region. The insights confirmed that the thick ice cover suppressed eruptions between 26,000 and 18,000 years ago. This suppression led to a gradual buildup of magma underneath the surface. By the time the ice age ended, the magma had grown up to 6.2 to 9.3 miles. During the suppression, this magma continually melted the crustal rocks. Around 13,000 years ago, the ice started melting, which reduced the pressure from the magma chamber, releasing the gases in liquid or molten rock. These rocks were more viscous due to the interactions with magma, making the eruptions more explosive than before. "We found that following deglaciation, the volcano starts to erupt way more, and also changes composition," said Moreno-Yaeger. 

Places at Most Risk

Past investigations have observed a similar phenomenon in Iceland, situated on a mid-ocean tectonic plate boundary. In Iceland, researchers speculated that the loss of ice due to melting also increased the frequency of the eruptions. The 2025 study asserts that the phenomenon is not limited to Iceland. It deems western Antarctica to be most at risk of this resurgence of volcanic eruptions. Around 100 volcanoes are buried under thick ice in the region. According to experts, this ice will supposedly be lost in the coming decades, due to global warming, and will trigger volcanic resurgence. Based on these results, researchers asked for a closer investigation of places like Russia, New Zealand, and North America, where the same conditions prevail.

Effect of increased volcanic activity

Volcanic eruptions can bring the planet's temperature down by providing sunlight-reflecting particles to the atmosphere. During a period when global warming is on constant rise, this effect could go a long way in balancing the situation. However, repeated eruptions could cause more damage, as they would increase the quantity of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, in the environment. Scientists believe that more studies focused on how the climate crisis impacts volcanic activities should be done. Climate change is not halting anytime soon; hence, more information on its relationship with volcanoes could help better prepare to safeguard individuals and livelihoods from its dangerous consequences.