Study Clarifies Risks at Dormant Uturuncu Volcano

Scientists have resolved the cause of ongoing unrest at Bolivia's dormant Uturuncu volcano, which shows seismic activity, gas emissions, and a distinctive 'sombrero'-shaped ground deformation despite 250,000 years of inactivity. Using advanced seismic imaging, physics modeling, and rock analysis, an international team found the unrest is due to the movement of liquids and gases beneath the crater, not imminent magma buildup. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, corrects earlier misconceptions about eruption risk and reassures local communities of a low threat level. The findings provide new insights into subsurface mineral accumulation with potential technological applications. The methodology could be applied to over 1,400 other dormant or potentially active volcanoes worldwide to improve hazard assessment. This research marks a significant step forward in volcano monitoring and understanding dormant volcanic systems.