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Can earthquakes trigger volcano eruptions? Here's the science.
Possible links between these two geologic titans have long fascinated—and divided—scientists. Here’s what the latest studies have to say.
Tectonic earthquakes are among the most powerful natural phenomena on the planet. It’s no surprise, then, that they are sometimes suspected of being able to trigger volcanic eruptions.
Earth’s volcanoes are often located in seismically excitable parts of the world. Just take the so-called Ring of Fire, which is technically a horseshoe-shaped region that traces the edges of tectonic plates around the Pacific basin. This area hosts 90 percent of the world’s recorded earthquakes and 75 percent of all active volcanoes.
In such seismic hotspots, eruptions and earthquakes are often taking place at roughly the same time—but that’s exactly what you would expect. Despite frequent breathless speculation online, you can’t automatically assume that there’s a connection between a
