The giant super volcano may lie under the Alaskan archipelago

The researchers found a lot of evidence suggesting the existence of a supervolcano connected to seven other volcanoes on the Aleutian Islands.

The Aleutian Islands are a group of volcanic islands located on the southern coast of Alaska and are home to 44 volcanoes. This group of islands has a unique arc shape, spanning the northern Pacific Ocean. New research results show that underneath this archipelago, there may be a supervolcano and the archipelago is just a giant caldera, a large pan-shaped depression after a volcanic eruption.

The Aleutian Islands are located in the northern Pacific Ocean.

John Power, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Volcano Observatory, said if the volcano exploded in the past few thousand years, it could threaten civilizations around the world. According to findings announced at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union on December 7, 2021, the Aleutian Islands may be remnants after the supervolcano below erupted. Moreover, this supervolcano can be connected to 6 volcanoes on the Aleutian Islands.

Volcanoes including: Herbert, Carlisle, Cleveland, Tana, Uliaga, and Kagamil may form a geyser along the edge of much larger volcanoes, of which Cleveland is the most active of the group. According to the geographic data, the team used small seismometers to record multiple micro-earthquakes around the archipelago, which spread to the northeast. This is a sign of intense volcanic activity.

Although the new study has not been confirmed, the scientists found compelling evidence. According to research results, the tops of the volcanoes on the Aleutian Islands now form a circle. Through topographic mapping of the seafloor, the team discovered arcs and depressions 130 meters deep in the center of the circle below the surface of the water. According to Power, the discovery helps them determine why the Cleveland volcano is so active.

Power et al. are still in the early stages of research. After gathering more evidence, they can map current and future threats in the area to find ways to prevent them.