Lava lake is a rare form of hot water 1,000 degrees C on the crater

Thanks to high-quality satellite images, scientists discovered a boiling and sustainable lava lake, 90-215m wide on Michael's crater.

Experts at the British Antarctic Survey and University of London found the extremely rare lava lake on the summit of Mount Michael , Saunders Island, Fox News reported on July 4. The island is British territory, located in the southern Atlantic Ocean and is one of the most remote locations on the planet.

Volcano Michael on Saunders Island.(Photo: British Antarctic Survey).

On the ground there are about 1,500 volcanoes, but only a few have a vibrant and sustainable lava lake at the mouth of the mountain, according to the British Antarctic Survey. Lake lava on top of Michael is the 8th lake discovered.

In the 1990s, geothermal anomalies in low-resolution satellite images urged scientists to look more closely. Thanks to high-quality satellite images in the period of 2003-2018, combined with advanced processing techniques, they discovered lava pools on the crater. The lake is 90-215m wide, about 1,000 degrees Celsius.

Satellite photos of Mount Michael in 2018 and a map of Saunders Island location.(Photo: British Antarctic Survey).

"We are excited to find such a special geological feature in British territory. It helps us understand more about volcanic activity and the dangers on this remote island, understand more about a rare and final lava lake, which helps develop techniques for tracking volcanoes from space, " said Dr. Alex Burton-Johnson at the British Antarctic Survey.

Satellite data is extremely valuable in the study of volcanoes Michael."The mountain is very difficult to access. Without high-quality satellite images, we will have great difficulties when we want to learn about lava pools," said Danielle Gray, an expert at the University of London, the lead author of the study. rescue, explain.

The volcanic eruption of Michael began to be recorded in the early 19th century. The most recent eruption is from August to October 2015. In addition, volcanoes also have some intermittent activities in September 2018.