Methana Volcano Accumulates Magma
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Apr 22, 2026 · Last updated Apr 24, 2026
The discovery challenges current assumptions about dormant volcanoes, potentially leading to increased monitoring and re-evaluation of hazard levels by authorities in countries like Greece, Italy, and Japan. This could result in new regulations or investments in geological monitoring technologies, affecting related industries.
An international research team led by ETH Zurich has discovered that the Greece — Methana volcano in Greece, previously considered dormant for over 100,000 years, has been continuously accumulating large amounts of magma. By analyzing zircon crystals, researchers Olivier Bachmann and Răzvan-Gabriel Popa found that water-rich magma prevented eruptions despite significant underground activity. This finding challenges the global assessment of 'extinct' volcanoes and has major implications for volcanic risk assessment, prompting hazard authorities in nations like Greece, Italy, Indonesia, Philippines, and Japan to re-evaluate threat levels and enhance monitoring of seemingly quiet volcanoes.
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