Unearthing Teide's fiery secret: Scientists detect 'hot heart' of magma beneath Spain's tallest volcano

The Teide volcano is located on the much-loved tourist island of Tenerife. Standing at 12,198 ft above sea level, it holds the highest peak in both the Canary Islands and Spain. This monumental volcano and its surrounding vistas are protected within the Teide National Park.

The Institute of Oil Geology and Geophysics in Novosibirsk, Russia, the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute (INVOLCAN), and the University of Granada have collaborated to carry out the study. New seismic tomography techniques, including the analysis of microseismicity recorded in the Teide area, allowed experts to uncover the secrets of the volcano.

Scientists suggest that the tomography reveals the possible presence of small magma reservoirs in the crust below the Las Cañadas caldera, at a depth of less than three miles. Magma can cool down in these reservoirs, resulting in a modified chemical composition. These reservoirs could potentially trigger highly explosive eruptions.

The findings from the study have been published in the "Journal of Geophysical Research", a popular international scientific journal in geophysics, published by the American Geophysical Society. These scientific conclusions provide critical insight into the understanding of increased seismicity on Tenerife and carbon dioxide emissions from the Teide crater.

Despite its last eruption occurring in 1909, Teide is still deemed an active volcano. It's worth noting that there has been increased chatter about its seismic activity since 2016. Currently, the volcano poses no threat to the island's inhabitants, but the recent research has raised some uncertainties.

Source: Canarian Weekly